The Riders of the Storm

[Valen]

Between East and West, between Earth and Sky, lies the Endless Waste. Barren and desolate, this windswept land forms the barrier between the feuding kingdoms of Faerun and the ancient empires of Kara-Tur. The eternal steppe is home only to the hardy, nomadic horsemen who travel its secret paths.

This region, long ignored by its neighbors, is about to erupt in the bloodiest conflict ever to sweep across the Forgotten Realms. Yamun Khahan, Emperor of the Tuigan, has united the barbarian tribes into an unstoppable horde. Already he rules the steppes, from the Cave of a Thousand Gods to the Valley of the Dog-Men. Driven to conquer, Yamun Khahan looks both east and west, and sees a world ripe for harvest.

***
​

It was the 30th Eleasis. The learned scribes of Candlekeep traditionally called this the last day of summer across the Realms. Tomorrow would begin Eleint, otherwise called "The Fading", and with it it would bring the onset of autumn across the land. Today of all days, summertime was determined to go out in a blaze of glory. Overhead the sun shone brightly, and there was nary a cloud in the blue sky.

However, today would turn out to be a very important day across the Realms for a number of reasons. Today marked the day that a young, enterprising thief by the name of Kian Le stole into an armed contingent, stealing away a golden lockbox that carried something very, very important inside of it. Yet little did Kian know that also, in the east, far away, today would mark the five hundredth year, to the exact day that the Warlord Tan Chin was defeated by Tsenya Garbo, the spiritual leader of Ra-Khati, a beautiful realm hidden inside the Katakoro Mountains.

Little did Kian also realise that his actions would tie his fate and the fates of a very unusual group into the fate of Ra-Khati, the self-styled "Hidden Kingdom".

Today was also an important day for one other fundamental reason. On the Tuigan Steppes, the tundra-land that separated the city of Shou-Lung from the Katakoro Mountains, the barbarian chieftain Yamun Khahan finally united the disparate barbarian tribes into one unstoppable force. Yamun too cast a desirous eye eastwards to the beautiful and verdant lands that awaited beyond the mountains.

Welcome friends, to the Riders of the Storm -- where these explosive strands will come to intertwine into one.

 

[Valen]

"Stop! Thief!"

Over the years, the merchants of the Shou Lung bazaar had been greeted with many unusual sights. However, on this particular day, they were greeted by one perhaps stranger than the rest. A young man wore a blue brocade belted over a white, silken shirt. His long, black hair was tied back into a ponytail that flowed freely from the slight breeze that blew through the marketplace on this particular day. In his hands, the young man, Kian Le, clutched tightly to his chest a golden lockbox. The lockbox was clasped shut with a lock that was fashioned with the insignia of a serpent. He did not know what was inside it, but so convinced was he that this lockbox contained within it the key to riches and fortune that, quite frankly, he did not care. All that he was bothered about right now was escaping the contingent of armed guardsmen that, as of this moment right now, were running through the open-air market behind him.

Eyes the colour of sapphire glanced back as the youngster continued to run straight forwards. Behind him, the guardsmen, about six strong, ran as fast as they could after him. He could hear the jangle of metal on metal as their scimitars, belted to their waist, clattered on the armour that they wore. Whereas Kian was small and agile enough to evade the merchants and buyers both, the guardsmen were not so subtle. They simply barrelled straight through anyone unfortunate enough to get in their way, sending passersby flying to one side in the path of their impotent rage.

Kian was not foolish. He knew that if he got caught a swift hanging was the best fate that he could possibly hope for. Turning his head back to the path at hand, the youngster continued to run -- determined as he was that this was not a fate that he would suffer.

Around him the marketplace was in full swing. The sun was shining in the sky and it was roughly midday in the city of Shou Lung. Merchants were hawking their wares, and more than one of them were in heated negotiations with buyers, looking to purchase their goods at the cheapest price possible. Carts were propped up, some of them holding fruit, others holding meats and still others with jars of exotic spices within them. In addition to that, merchants were looking to sell furs and animal skins, and others had expensive looking jewellery. It was one of those stalls that Kian reached out and quickly swiped what seemed to be a necklace adorned with a beautiful emerald.

"Hey! You!"

The merchant, a portly, balding man with a red face, came running around to try and tackle Kian, but the orphan agilely ducked underneath the man's outstretched arms, rolling and coming up on the other side. As the man shook his fist in Kian's direction, Kian turned and shrugged, bowing slightly by way of apology. Putting the necklace in one of his pockets, he drew out a couple of shining silver coins, throwing them towards the merchant by way of recompense for the stolen goods. As the man bent down to pick them up though, the first of the guards ran straight into him. Their was a sickening crunch from the head-on collision between the two, and Kian inwardly winced as he continued running.

Five guards remained on his tail as the sixth tried to pick himself up from the floor where he had knocked himself half-unconscious. Running past a fruit stall, Kian reached out, unhooking the clasp on the cart on his way past. And as melons, apples, oranges and coconuts (of all things), poured into the path of the onrushing guards, Kian turned around and once more tossed a couple of silvers towards the angry merchant. This was proving to be a very expensive day....

"Sorry. I didn't really have much choice...." Kian shrugged his apology to the merchant.

Behind him there was a yell as the other five guardsmen charged straight into the fallen fruit. They crashed into each other and then fell in a heap onto the floor. Chuckling, Kian waved at them as he put the lockbox inside his pocket, turning to run.

Kian had one goal in mind. He had to get to a merchant caravan that he knew was leaving the city this very day. His plan was to steal aboard, and then possibly return once things quietened down a little. Right now the streets of Shou Lung were death.

***
​

"Our destination is past the Katakoro Mountains, towards the region of Kara-Tur. There, I plan to unload my goods for maximum profit. I would anticipate the journey taking a number of months, so I hope you don't get travel or homesick."

Merchant Haldemar was a bored-looking man. Around fifty with a weather-beaten face and greying hair he had seen many, many things in his years providing mercantile goods to people who needed them, and those that didn't (he tended not to discriminate between the two when looking for a potential sale). Yet, as his eyes passed over Eido, even covered as he was Haldemar still shivered slightly. The man was....creepy to say the least. And that was why Haldemar had hired him. If he found the man creepy, then those serpent-like eyes would certainly deter anyone who felt the need to rob his caravan. And it was surely better that he was on his side than not, no?

The other two were slightly more normal looking though no less capable for it. Haldemar hadn't had much dealings with the dwarves, though he knew them to be fairly steadfast and honest, if perhaps loving their ale a bit too much. Kavya would be a boon on the journey. The woman, Yamako, was more mysterious, however as long as she carried her weight he couldn't care less about her mysteries.

Opening the brown cover that separated the exterior of the caravan from the interior, Haldemar revealed a number of different wares. Mostly animal skins and furs, though there were some foodstuffs there too. The cheese was particularly aromatic.

"Two on the outside, walking alongside the caravan and one on the inside with the goods at all times. You may rotate as necessary." Haldemar walked over to the two horses pulling the wagon, climbing onto the carriage next to them and taking the reins. "And before you even think about it, I've taken a complete inventory. I will know if something is missing so keep your eyes off them. I will pay you half your allotted sum when we get halfway, and the other half on completion. We leave in a couple of minutes so I would advise you make yourselves comfortable."

From the rear, out of the marketplace, a young man wearing a blue brocade and white silken shirt came charging forwards, running as if his life depended on it. Every so often he glanced back, black ponytail fluttering in the breeze. Running up to the wagon, he dived straight into it. Looking to the three, his sapphire eyes glittered as he put a finger to his lips, saying "Shhh..."

And then, as Kian pulled one of the furs over him to conceal himself, Haldemar shouted from the front, "What's going on back there!?"

 

[Maeriel]

"Little sister, you'll like it, see it as a... vacation. A... long, necessary one."

Huzal's voice held a bit of mocking mirth, but his brown eyes had traces of concern for the beautiful young woman ahead of him. The caramel-skinned man was tall and almost lanky in his thinness, at least tall when compared to her. His almond-shaped eyes seemed to always contain some mirth, as if amused at some inner joke. They had always been warm and comforting. Yamako hated to part with her childhood friend.

"Vacation... now there's a joke." her voice was almost androgynous, but pleasant on the ear all the same.

The petite young woman held the Wanted poster between her pale hands. It contained the masked face of a scrawny drawn male teenager. At least, that is who the authorities and underworld around Shou Lung thought White Fox to be. Emerald eyes studied the lines and sighed at the sizable bounty. Enough for all small time and some more prominent bounty-hunters and idle adventurers to put effort in the chase. Mako brushed a lock of her black hair away from her face, irritated as it obstructed her view. In her time as White Fox, the man, Mako had always kept it in a ponytail, but the emphasis on her femininity was larger with the long dark brown hair to flow freely down to the small of her back. Delicate facial lines of mixed-heritage, pink lush lips and the female shape of her bosom, hips and narrow waist left no doubt to her gender, unlike the puffy, loose robes White Fox had worn. All that beauty was crowned by the glittering emerald of her exotic eyes.

Hiding in plain sight. It was a clever 'disguise', but it made her feel no less naked, exposed to the appraisal of male eyes she had chosen to elude with the 'gender change'. Yamako had at times used her true shape, albeit enhanced by the disguising skills, to perform a role in a job or another, but having to be a long time again paying attention to the appropriate gesticulation and not modulating her voice was going to be initially challenging. The long grey and silver silken robes of Kara-Turan influence emphasized that side of her blood, while the snug black leather underneath offered some protection and freedom of movement. Yet, on a day like today, also made her uncomfortably hot. It was necessary, though. Huzal had arranged a spot as a Caravan Guard for the young woman and she needed to look the part. That was why her short bow and quiver and her wakizashi were well within sight on her back and at her hip.

The caravan was much smaller than they had expected when she arrived, but it didn't matter. Yamako's stomach had a chill in its pit and she felt a tightness in her heart for having to leave her 'home'. As much as she had no such place, the streets of the kingdom had been all she knew and to move into the wild, was scary. Mako was a city-girl through and through and added to that was the fact she was no warrior. She could fight for sure, but she avoided it at all costs. So this was a poor, unwanted move she hoped to end quickly, with any luck, things would cool down soon enough and Mako would be back home with her friend and her mischief.

As she looked into Huzal's eyes... the man could see farewell would not come easy...

____________________

The caravan was taking long. And the longer they lingered, the more jittery she felt, even if outwardly Yamako was the semblance of tranquility. Guards came and went, men stopped to look at the Wanted poster and every time they did, she felt stupid for carrying the feline-looking mask in the bottom of the pack. What was that? Sentimentalism? Hope she'd be able to take off from where she left? Whatever the case, the rogue could certainly not discard it now.

The guards hired for the trip were odd to say the least. Eido was... unsettling. The snake eyes and shiny skin... the monk was certainly unusual, but perhaps because of that, Yamako was not outright wary of him. She knew well how it felt to be the odd one out. The other one, the dwarven cleric, was equally strange for Mako. She had rarely seen dwarves out here and a part of her had been dying to ask what in the blazes she was up to, but until they leave Shou Lung behind, the rogue chose a more cautious stance. Last thing she needed was to be ratted out.

It had been like watching an accident happen in slow-motion. Yamako's emerald eyes had caught sight of the running young man as he made a bee-line for the caravan, but had been all too flabbergasted to react with anything more than an arching of a thin eyebrow and the parting of her full pink lips. He dove into the cart and buried himself in furs and it all felt very very familiar. Her brilliant emerald orbs met his mischievous sapphire eyes as he shushed them and then traced to the way he had come from, and no doubt soon would come the guards. Curiosity surged. What has that man stolen?

"What's going on back there!?"

Mako was quick to answer. She knew of the trio, she was going to be the only one not likely to give the man away to the hounds. The rogue poked her head from the back of the cart and smiling said. "Sorry! I tripped and pushed the wagon. Nothing to worry about, Mr. Haldemar! What do you say of us leaving already? It's a bright warm day, which means a very very chilly night out there, and I am sure we want to make good time, yes? All ready back here!" Yamako looked at the other two and shrugged lightly, saying low. "What? No harm in keeping the man from the gallows until we leave the border, then you do what you must. Mercy is a virtue, no?" She knew monks and clerics were creatures of principles. That should strike a chord...

 

[inkdragon]

It was more than likely a mistake for Kavya to take this job as a caravan guard. Really, she should have been heading directly back to the temple. It was her duty to report a fallen brother in arms to the Council, but, well... with Tobias, Kavya felt justified in taking some time by herself to mourn. The man had started off as her mentor and partner, but over the years they had traveled together, they had grown to be friends. They had laughed together, worked together, watched each other's backs. Until around a week ago, during an orc raid on a small villiage south of the Fenford Plains, when Kavya had failed at that third task.

She had tried, she had tried every spell she knew, but she hadn't been powerful enough. She hadn't been able to heal him. What was the point, she had asked Galdair bitterly several times since, what was the point of following him, of devoting her life to his order of clerics, if she couldn't even save those she herself cared about? There had been no answer, of course there hadn't. Galdair had never bothered to give straight answers, only vague visions in the night on 'destiny' and 'purpose' that had never actually come to pass. The elders told her to be patient and wait, and by the stars, she was trying. But her god was not making it easy for her. Kavya wasn't running from the order, no. Not forever, at least. She would return, and she would deliver her report then, once she had achieved the emotional distance she needed from the whole situation. She and Tobias were supposed to be out doing work in the field for another few months, anyway. Kavya would still be doing the work of a cleric of Galdair, she reasoned. She would still be healing the wounded, protecting the weak. Only on a slightly different course than had initially been set for her.

The traveling companions she had for this journey were a strange pair. The monk, Eido, was clearly foreign, but the clerics of Galdair hailed from all across the Realms. Kavya was used to strange faces and exotic features, they did not unsettle her. She had worked with monks in the past, and those of peaceful ideaologies were good, true people, always good on your side in a fight and loyal to their word. The woman, Yamako, Kavya was actually more unsure about. Something about her gave off a strange feel. She was hiding something, or many things, of that Kavya was sure. But as she could sense no ill will, Kavya decided to let the matter lie. Everyone had a past, she was beginning to understand, and secrets did not necessarily mean one meant to do harm. At this point, they were all on the same side, anyway. Kavya would be cautious, of course, as she had been trained, but there was a fine line between prudence and paranoia. Alienating one's allies was a sure way to find yourself a short life and a bitter end in their world.

When the urchin boy dove into the cart, Kavya took a step back, hand instinctively falling to the dagger on her belt. She relaxed as she realized the situation. The boy would likely not put up a fight, they would simply shoo him out and be on their way. Before she could say anything, though, the other woman in the caravan spoke up, covering for the thief.

"What? No harm in keeping the man from the gallows until we leave the border, then you do what you must. Mercy is a virtue, no?"

Kavya winced internally. Damn it all. Tobias wouldn't have hesitated to extend mercy. What good was she doing his teaching or his memory if she refused to do the same mere days after his death? She looked for a moment at the boy hidden in the furs, then gave a slight nod to Yamako, agreeing with the call. "You will take nothing," she warned the boy, voice low so the merchant didn't hear. "It's our necks on the line to guard this caravan. We are doing well by you to grant you refuge. Do not betray it."

 

[Scalerender]

Temptation...

The single most challenging aspect of his rebirth into the world. Mortal men and women had always possessed a certain weakness to vice, desire and lust. Abusing this weakness had been the most effective way of the Yuan-Ti to infiltrate and manipulate the lesser civilisations. But the dark plotting serpent-folk were no longer his people, despite their dark blood coursing through his veins. But within the deepest regions of his own psyche Sahlall still lurked, tired, wounded and hungry. As much as he desperately wished for peace and stillness the dark blood called, Sseth did not allow his children freedom like the other gods. Like an insidious devil his urges whispered to him, reminding him what he was...what he is.

He closed his eyes and inhaled slowly, listening to his heartbeat and the air filling his lungs, the here..the now. The shadows of the past and light of the future were both equally blinding and therefore irrelevant. He pulled himself away from his fears and musings and to the fore of the present, right hand holding on to the finely crafted staff-weapon or Gunn as the monks called it, left hands calmly turning the prayer beads or Malas while he recited his mantras internally. His clothing where weathered but kept in a state of acceptable repair, tears and holes sewn or patched and the sturdy fabric washed regularly to remove stains. Other then that the brownish green colour had started to fade and the edges becoming tattered and worn. Simple straw made sandals protected his feet.

Like a leaf carried by a gale the monk had drifted from the monastery into the world, these lands were still strange to him yet now far more familiar then they were when he first arrived hear several years before. He did not feel the disgust and emptiness he felt then, now at most times he felt content, free of the crippling emotions and desires that ruled him then. The path before him leading him without announcing its destination. He was certainly looking for something, but where it was was not for him to know for if he did, he would not be searching for it.

The merchant had provided a way for him to continue his travel, the human was rather selective of who was allowed to travel with his caravan and had insisted on hiring the monk even though there was no real need. Had he offered food and shelter during the travel he would have accompanied them all the same. The temptation of acquiring wealth had been tempting but would eventually prove a burden he no longer wished to bare...A tree bearing ripe fruit will attract those in need and only grow if it parts with its bounty. As such wealth had lost its meaning for Eido, willingly parting with what coin he had by using them to aid the needy and disenfranchised.... like planting seeds to grow in the light of compassion.

From the rear, out of the marketplace, a young man wearing a blue brocade and white silken shirt came charging forwards, running as if his life depended on it. Every so often he glanced back, black ponytail fluttering in the breeze. Running up to the wagon, he dived straight into it. Looking to the three, his sapphire eyes glittered as he put a finger to his lips, saying "Shhh..."

Eyes opened wide and pupils turned into fine serpentine slits at the intruder running and leaping into the cart, quick snapping motions of his head helped trace the movements of the young man only to halt in an eerie stillness, much like a serpent readying to strike.

Mako was quick to answer. She knew of the trio, she was going to be the only one not likely to give the man away to the hounds. The rogue poked her head from the back of the cart and smiling said. "Sorry! I tripped and pushed the wagon. Nothing to worry about, Mr. Haldemar! What do you say of us leaving already? It's a bright warm day, which means a very very chilly night out there, and I am sure we want to make good time, yes? All ready back here!" Yamako looked at the other two and shrugged lightly, saying low. "What? No harm in keeping the man from the gallows until we leave the border, then you do what you must. Mercy is a virtue, no?" She knew monks and clerics were creatures of principles. That should strike a chord...

Kavya winced internally. Damn it all. Tobias wouldn't have hesitated to extend mercy. What good was she doing his teaching or his memory if she refused to do the same mere days after his death? She looked for a moment at the boy hidden in the furs, then gave a slight nod to Yamako, agreeing with the call. "You will take nothing," she warned the boy, voice low so the merchant didn't hear. "It's our necks on the line to guard this caravan. We are doing well by you to grant you refuge. Do not betray it."

The monk resumed breathing, posture returning to its rested state, pupils of his eyes rounding once more. A bead of the malas moved along in his nimble clawed fingers , the currents had changed, a path had been chosen. It was no longer in his nature to move against the changing winds, instead he drifted along without interjecting or opposing those around him which made the waves.

" "I will carry you across the pond brother scorpion", said brother toad "but you must promise me not to sting"...." The sentence parted from his lips, soft voice partially muffled by the scarf hiding his features. He seemed to say it as a loud thought rather then directing it at someone else. That particular story had always stayed with him, at times he believed it to be a hard truth for himself, a solid reminder that he could not escape his nature. He had spoken to this to his brothers in the monastery and while most agreed that one's nature was something undeniable it was the young brother Yoshi that posed the most interesting question.."What is one's nature?" Another bead moved along in his hand...

 

[MJK2431]

It was early that morning, the sun barely edging over the ocean's horizon when Aza thrust off her bear-skin rug and got out of bed, groaning when as she moved a sharp pain in her left shoulder shot up. She stood slower, stepping silently towards the small mirror that hung on the wall of her private yet quaint room. The dragon-borns of her generation had been moved to the large trainee hut on the edge of the village seven years ago after they were chosen, the structure secluded enough that their odd hours and noisy training sessions didn't affect the other occupants of the village.

She turned around when she reached the mirror, examining the vaguely blue-black skin that speckled her left shoulder on the top left hand side of her scapula. She scowled at the sight, nimble fingers reaching over her shoulder to touch the spot tenderly. She remembered how she had gotten it the day before while sparring against a fellow dragon-born, Lazarus, who she did not get along with. He had cheated, throwing loose sand in her eyes which allowed him to get in a lucky shot while she was momentarily blinded...she could almost make out the shape of his fist within the outline of the bruising.

He had always been an arrogant, entitled brute and the mere thought of him sent Azayla into an instantaneous bad mood. She breathed in deeply though, deciding that she would not let him get to see how easily he got under her skin as he had since they were children. The two were always in competition, evenly matched since their perpetual silent combat began. She hoped for a second opportunity today to best him, the pain in her shoulder and the throbbing from the injury only fueling her desire for a rematch further.

The female dressed, pulling on leather pants and a white cotton top that billowed at the sleeves as well as boots with a wrap-around leather tie that she fastened around her calf. Normally, her and the other dragon-born in their separate rooms would be sleeping, already past the days in which early morning activities were necessary...but today was different. They had been woken by their instructors in a hurry, told to dress in something that allowed for mobility and that they needed to meet on the cliffs away from the village. Azayla tied the last of her boot knot, grabbing her jacket on the way out before heading into the chill of the morning.

******************************************************************​

The sea cliffs offered up a small breeze which tousled her loose hair and sent curls flying into her gaze. The ten dragon-borns ranging between the age of nineteen and twenty stood there in front of their mentors, an elderly man and woman with greying hair and lined faces.

Azayla couldn't help but notice Lazarus' absence, his inability to follow an order which would most likely end in discipline causing a smug smile to be placed on her face. However, upon the sight of the grave expression upon her elders faces, she couldn't help but feel a growing sense of foreboding and and tension that permeated the air. She felt as if they stood on the precipice of something horrible and all she could about it was resist falling over the edge that was hurtling towards her.

The woman cleared her throat, turquoise eyes staring down the initiates that stood to attention before her like the warriors they had been trained to be. She had a grave expression, mouth drawn into a thin line before breaking the heavy silence that had fallen over the group.

"What I am about to tell you will have to remain a secret. You are all sworn to remain loyal to one another as well as your tribe, but there are some things that need to remain among those who have the right training and mentail capacity to deal with the type of earth-shattering news I am about to give you." She took a deep breath, her bright, wise eyes darting among each of their faces as she continued.

"You have all heard the stories of old, myths of great beasts that used to use our cliffs as a refuge and who formed a bond with the people a long time ago. That story lives on in each of you, the dragon-born, named after those that dedicated their lives to raising the dragons and developing a sort of relationship between them. During the great Wars, many dragons and the elves who they had bound themselves too were killed, the great beasts said to be lost forever..."

The older elf paused, needing to take in a breath as she readied herself.

"They are not as forgotten as most of the past generations have been led to believe. I am sure you have all heard whispers of the sea cliffs that hold the last of the brood. The eggs have been in a state of dormancy, but during your groups choosing...they began to stir for the first time in millenia."

Azayla was shocked along with the rest of the initiates, her mouth gaping open as the trainees previously stoic positions broke, the group talking amongst each other as queries and questions rose. Why keep it a secret? Why our group? Why did they wait so long?...why now?

"Hush..."

The elder man, a large being with a thick muscular frame that hinted at years of training raised his arms, the group taking longer to become silent than usual at the mind-boggling news that had been forced upon them. His short, white-grey hair was half being held back by a small ponytail blew around, the wind suddenly picking up in the short time they had been standing there and whipping the short pieces around his face.

"I know you all have questions, which we will answer to the best of our ability. There are forces stirring in the barren plains to the north of us, enemies gathering and growing in numbers as well as strength for the last few years. If word of something as tremendous as dragon eggs got out beyond our borders, I village would have been under siege almost immediately. Dragons are not naturally warring creatures, but if they are forced into battle they can reap irreparable damage." Something flashed in the mans lilac eyes, a memory of a violent era clearly spewing emotions into his head and heart.

"Thus, we have remained quiet up until now, but an act of atrocity last night has forced our hand. One of your own has betrayed both you and our people, using his position and his training to gain information on the eggs location. Last night a few were taken, most likely to be sold to the highest bidder. They must be retrieved as soon as possible, before they hatch and a bonding can be done between the beats and a carer. This traitor has cast his lot in with the enemy and needs to be stopped before he empowers those who seek to destroy the world as we know it to a level we cannot come back from. Not just elves, but every other being of this land as well. We must come out of the shadows and leave our region for the first time in over a century in order to retrieve what we are responsible for."

His voice rose both in power and conviction, the tone of the ex-army general who had aged well considering the time of his lifespan causing a steely determination to grip the entire group of dragon-born's .

"It is time for your training to come to good use. The elders are long in tooth and have weakened over the years. It is time now to rely on the new generation of dragon-borns to change our most certainly doomed fate should the eggs hatch before they are returned to where they belong among the elven people of this village. You are to make preparations and leave as soon as possible, spreading far and wide to apprehend the thief and stop him before it is too late. Ready yourselves and leave before sundown. I wish you all the best of luck and pray the goddess of fortune smiles favorably on your quests."

The group disbanded, heading back to their rooms so that they could pack and leave on foot or on horseback. All wanted to bring honor back to their group after the betrayal and all wished to stop the sudden end to their peace threatening them from an unseen enemy.

**********************************************************************​

It had been a week since Azayla had departed from her village, the female riding now through a forested region where sunlight speckled through the leafy canopy pleasantly. She had heard talks of bandits within this area, the trade-road commonly used by merchants which were preyed upon for their profits and goods. The female hoped to track down a group of interest, their movements supposedly to attack a merchant by the name of Hagerar or Haldemar or something of that kind. If she could find them and question, they might be able to give her information on Lazarus' whereabouts and any dealings of dragon eggs that had spread amongst the thieves of this land.

The stallion beneath was keeping a stead pace, but his ears were flicking around restlessly and Aza couldn't help feel unsettled despite the warm weather that she had been graced with. There was something...or someone.... coming, that much she was certain of.

 

[Valen]

Grinning, Kian Le looks over to the three, who even now look at him there inside the cart. Bowing his head, he whispers, "Thank you. I promise you won't regret this." Kian nods his head towards Kavya, "You have my word that I will not touch anything in the cart." And then, finally looking over to Eido, Kian begins to say something else. Then, catching his tongue, he apparently thinks better of it. Shrugging, he pulls the fur over himself.

The merchant, Haldemar, seemingly none the wiser to his presence, takes Mako up on her suggestion. The caravan lurches forwards, stowaway hidden in the back. There he lies, hidden underneath the fur that lay on top of him. Not making a move, he lies there completely still. Inwardly he wonders when would be the best time to throw the fur off and make a run for it with his prize. Reaching down, his hand touches the golden lockbox that he has concealed within. Shaking it slightly, he grins at the sound of something rattling from inside.

"You are going to make me very, very rich," he whispers to himself.

Outside, it is a beautiful day indeed as the cart leaves the busy city of Shou Lung behind it. Following a dusty, windswept road, the caravan travels across the countryside. The cobblestone streets of Shou Lung, and the business of the city are left behind, to be replaced by the calmness and serenity of the road, surrounded as it was on both sides by rolling green grasslands. Overhead the group could see the silhouette of birds flying above the caravan. It was just past midday, and Haldemar looks to the road ahead.

"Soon we will enter the steppes. They are home to the barbarian tribes that live in the region. They are a honourable sort, of a fashion. I don't anticipate any problems with them, but if we are accosted by them we need to be mindful of their customs."

Inside the caravan, Kian finally pushes the fur to one side. Dragging himself over to the back of it, he dangles his legs over the side as he regards the group. "Sorry if I caused you any trouble," he begins, sapphire eyes flashing with merriment as he continues to whisper, mindful of Haldemar's proximity. Fortunately, the sounds of the horse and the caravan's wheels traversing the dusty road are enough to drown out the sound of his voice. "I couldn't take the chance of the guards catching me and I needed to leave the city pretty quickly."

Nodding to the others (eyes lingering a little longer in wonderment at the strange-looking Eido), Kian smiles, "My name is Kian Le, and we are well met."

Kian's eyes move over to meet Mako's. As sapphire eyes meet emerald, he bows his head and smiles softly. "Stranger. I don't know your name, but I heard you. Thank you....for helping me. I......am not used to such, especially living on the streets."

Reaching into the folds of his silken shirt, Kian finally withdraws his prize. Looking to Mako, his eyes flash again as a small smile touches his lips again very briefly. "And this is the prize that would get me hanged.". A small, rectangular lockbox. Holding it up, he laughs softly as he glances to Mako again. Shaking it, he is gratified to hear the sound of something rattling again inside it. Seemingly without a care in the world for the fact that there were three strangers around him, he sets the box on his lap as he continues to dangle his legs over the back of the wagon.

"Now, I wonder what lovely delights you hold." His hand reaches down to a small pocket knife belted to his waist. "Open sesame," he mutters as he places the thin blade into the serpent shaped clasp.

The lockbox itself was small, not even spanning the length of one of Kian's knees. It was inlaid by a golden surface, lock carved into the shape of a serpent. Around its edge was a dark brown strip. It had the look of something that was extremely expensive. Moving the edge of his blade about in the lock, Kian's smile gradually lessened, finally turning into a frown. Despite his best efforts, the lock did not open.

"Stubborn little.....," he began when Haldemar shouted over from the front of the cart.

"Rider ahead!"

Rolling back inside Kian quickly pulls the fur back over him. Ahead, Haldemar's keen eyes had picked out a lone rider. At first, the figure looked human, but the closer they got, the more it became apparent that an elven rider approached the caravan. The tanned female, for female she was, had white, blue eyes. The girl had golden hair that that blew backwards in the slight breeze, giving her an almost otherworldly look. White markings seemed to stretch across her cheek bones.

Haldemar shouted ahead to her, "Hail rider. What brings you down this road?"

One could never be too cautious out in the open.

 

[Maeriel]

Mako was not disappointed in her gamble, both Kavya and Eido let the young man hide in the furs. Emerald eyes looked down (thought really not by that much) to Kavya as the woman warned the thief and Yamako made a gesture with her thumb at her colleague, nodding to its veracity and hoping the man in blue brocade wasn't a filthy rat. And then she looked at Eido as he spoke with the sibilant tone of his in cryptic words. Her eyebrow raised and her face scrunched up as she tried to get the meaning of his sentence. She had never heard that proverb, and Mako was more of a literal meaning kind of gal. "Uh... that too."

The verbal agreement from the unknown stowaway was somewhat reassuring and as the horses started clopping their way from the market, the White Fox tried to distract herself from the tug in the pit of her stomach, a duality of emotions, relief for escaping safe and sound from the price on her head, and pain for leaving the only home and the only friend she had... So she cleared her throat and went. "The scorpion and the toad did what? What scorpion and what toad's that, your monkness?" The title may have sounded mocking, but she didn't really know how she was supposed to address them. Except for a brief exchange of names with the merchant, she had barely spoken to the two who would share the burden of protecting that caravan. Out there. In the wild. The steppes full of savages. Oh she already missed the city...

Brazenly, the street rat pushes out of cover and sits at the back of the carriage without a care in the world. Even for White Fox that was quite... cocky. Mako didn't know if she was impressed at his confidence or at his foolishness. Her thin eyebrows were arched high all the same. Keen emerald eyes quickly shifted attention to the prize in the young man's hand and the little devil of greed spoke on her ear. That's some shiny box... Mako grinned mischievously as he spoke, introducing himself and expressing his gratitude to the group.

"I'm Yamako, and us street folk should watch each other's back after all. If you're feeling especially grateful I don't mind sharing the spoils." her chuckle rang silvery in the backdrop of the creaking cart and clopping of hooves.

The young woman watched as Kian fiddled with the lock with that blade, a frown forming on her forehead and an expression of disapproval, like a bard listening to a beautiful song being butchered by a voice completely out of tune. Mako's pleasant voice sounded low. "Oh, you'll never get that open that way, stop before you break a perfectly good blade. I can get that open for you... for a share in the-"

"Rider ahead!"

Rolling back inside Kian quickly pulls the fur back over him. Ahead, Haldemar's keen eyes had picked out a lone rider. At first, the figure looked human, but the closer they got, the more it became apparent that an elven rider approached the caravan. The tanned female, for female she was, had white, blue eyes. The girl had golden hair that that blew backwards in the slight breeze, giving her an almost otherworldly look. White markings seemed to stretch across her cheek bones.

Haldemar shouted ahead to her, "Hail rider. What brings you down this road?"

Groaning, the thief moved from the back of the caravan, dark hair flowing in the breeze, naturally narrowed eyes squinting under the bright sun. She was already withdrawing her shortbow and knocking an arrow, but keeping it pointed down. Mako had been hired to 'protect' this man and his goods, the least she could do was look the part.

 

[MJK2431]

Azayla stiffened, hearing a loud shout reach her through the trees ahead. Her blue eyes narrowed, the female tossing her loosely braided hair over her shoulder before opening a small container tied to the dagger-sheath. The sloshing sound of water could be heard from within, the female needing access to it to be unobstructed if she were to face anyone who would prove a threat. Can never be too careful. People around these parts probably haven't seen elves in quite some time.

The girl didn't withdraw her weapon though, some logical thoughts she had preventing her from doing so. Firstly, most people would have preferred the element of surprise if they wished to attack. Secondly, if the man who had called out to her did indeed prove to be a simple passerby rather than an enemy, she wished to not cause unnecessary conflict by greeting him already armed.

She urged on her black-brown steed, the animal surging forward gently before slowing at her command when they neared the caravan. She analysed the scene, counting four beings of varying appearance. One she identified as a dwarf and the other two as probably being human, although the yellow, serpentine gaze of the bandaged and hooded man was unknown to her. Rather than being repulsed, she found that his appearance reminded her of old, archaic paintings done of dragon-borns and the beasts they cared for and so was more intrigued rather than wary.

When she was close enough to be heard without shouting, the female spoke clearly and confidently to the male driving the caravan she guessed had addressed her, her accent barely noticeable but for the faint twang in some of her pronounciation. For a moment she hesitated on how to answer, recognizing his dialect as being human and so needed to find the correct words with which to communicate with him. It had not been too long since she had practiced the language, but she did not wish to stumble nonetheless.

"Good day, sir. I did not mean to startle you, I have been travelling this road in search of a wanted bandit group. Word has it they could provide information on goods that were stolen." She heard a faint thump in the back of the caravan, her ears perking up while one brow raised. Perhaps there is more people here than meets the eye.

 

[Scalerender]

Bright and stunning eyes shifted their attention from one person to the next, carefully taking in each detail and bestowing a slightly uncomfortable feeling of being marked as a prey. it was an unintentional effect that his kind evoked in the thin blooded sapiens and as such Eido made sure not to allow his gaze to linger upon them for too long. In fact the monk made sure to keep his more exotic features hidden as much as possible, hood pulled up over his head and scarf masking his face. in close proximity the eyes would be a dead giveaway but by directing his gaze downwards and keeping th posture of the praying monk he often avoided much unwanted attention. Eido rolled another bead between his fingers as the young woman, who would later introduce herself as Yamako, posed her question. He had been told the fable was a well known one in this region and as such it surprised him somewhat she did not know it... Wisdom is like a seed that grows only in a fertile mind and like the crop that is harvested from the seed it should be shared with others... Another bead passed his fingertips..

"Brother scorpion and brother toad meet each other at the river bank.
"Brother toad, I ask of you to carry me across the river on your back for I can not swim" asked Brother Scorpion.
"I will carry you across the pond brother scorpion", said brother toad "but you must promise me not to sting"
"Naturally, for if I do we will both die..." Assured Brother Scorpion...
Satisfied Brother toad allows Brother scorpion to mount his back and enters the river, carrying his brother across the water.
Mid stream Brother scorpion stings Brother Toad, paralyzed brother Toad sinks but with his last gasp he asks "Why?"
"Because it is my nature..." Brother Scorpion replied...."

Empty promises have no meaning if they go against one's nature or path. We have no say in the actions of another regardless what we think is logical or fair.
I merely wonder, who is the scorpion...and who the toad?

But I am the river... Eido thought to himself, he would flow and change, adapt to follow the direction of the current. The young man's introductions did not go unnoticed but were not reciprocated as his eyes had more attention for the human female. The way he coveted the contents of the box were like seeing a prisoner ratteling his cage. how easily was this man's life influence dby his greed and lust for wealth and power. Eido reflected upon himself and realized how he was once much like this young man, the developing emotions were let go...the fleeting though untethered and floating into the still regions of his mind.

"All which is trapped in this box is you...and once it is empty so will you be left with the same emptiness... "

Yamako seemed affected by the same curse of greed, Eido sighed...so easily manipulated.. The announcement of the rider made him look up, the figure approaching was an outsider much like him. Elven blood Excellent slaves, longevity, malleable blood... Eido closed his eyes as the thought clung to his mind with insidious anchors. He recited a silent mantra, another bead rolled past his fingers and the thought was gone, floating away released into nothingness. Sharp eyes opened once more, locking upon the strange visitor. "Goods...stolen", were all lives ruled by possession, by claim and ownership... things that in essence do not exist? Eido was humbled by this realization..he had come a long way... a hidden smile curved on his face.

 

[inkdragon]

Kavya had nothing against those unfortunate enough to find themselves on the streets, but all the same, she was wary of their fifth, hidden companion. Mercy was one thing, trust was another. Yamako might not have wanted to believe it, but Eido was right, the word of a thief was worth little. Kian had no bond to their party, and thus no reason not to leave them hanging out to dry. Before he left them, Kavya would do poorly not to check his pockets twice. She had been hired to do a job, and she would do it regardless of pleading eyes.

Eido seemed disparaging of the pair of 'street folk,' as Yamako had called them, and while Kavya understood his distaste for greed, she could not help but wonder what land he hailed from to not understand poverty. She herself had no real love for lawbreakers, nor the kinship Yamako seemed to few she shared with Kian, but neither did she deem it her place to judge another without knowing their story. Especially one so young as the boy they now harbored.

As the group stopped to greet the approaching rider, Kavya kept her face purposefully calm, though her hand fell to her axe at her hip. She had been on edge ever since Tobias, she knew, but she couldn't help it. At the sight of the elven woman, she relaxed some, releasing the grip. The stranger did not even have a weapon drawn, she did not come searching for a fight. "We have only just started our journey, but we have been thankful not to come across any bandits," she answered. "Ours is but a merchant caravan from Shou Lung, half a day's ride from here. Perhaps it will be there you find those you seek."

A moment too late, Kavya remembered herself. She could not assume there was no racial bias the elf held against her. Many, elves and dwarves alike, could not look past old wounds that should have long since been scarred over by time.

 

[Valen]

As elsewhere a group assembled, unaware of their place in destiny, events unfold in the Realms....​

A beautiful girl stood in an open window, watching over her kingdom from up high, the faintest hint of a sad smile crossing her face.

Princess Bhrokiti knew that the sands of time were beginning to trickle down for her. Soon, the Emperor would send his summons. And when he did, she would be forced to make a terrible choice. To sacrifice herself, or sacrifice the people that she had come to love? Unless she travelled to Solon and offered herself as the Emperor's bride. Bhrokiti sighed softly to herself. What was her life when measured against the life of a thousand? The time was nearing when she would have to make that terrible choice. Her life, or the life of her people? Moving towards the niveous jaws, Bhrokiti looked downwards. Briefly, she considered stepping forwards. But then, if she did that, she would condemn Ra-Khati to death.

Another soft sigh.

She had spent the night restlessly. Unable to rest, she had tossed and turned. What little dreams had come to the restless Princess were dreams of pain and agony. She dreamt of strange, burning red eyes staring at her from the midst of dark shadows. Tendrils of shadows came out at her, seeking to entrap her. She tried to run, but she was unable to. The darkness enfolded her -- it embraced her. It drew her into its depths, forever trapped -- never to escape.

The thin rays of dawn slowly crept into her chamber, and with the coming of dawn Bhrokiti walked and sat at the edge of her bed, propping her head up in her hands. Her eyes were bloated and red, with dark shadows underneath them. Standing finally, Bhrokiti straightened. She held her back up straight, raised her chin. Whatever fate awaited her, she would greet it with dignity and grace. She had that at the very least, and nothing could take it away from her.

Walking to her bedside table, Bhrokiti opened a drawer. Inside, a curved blade lay in its scabbard. Taking it out, the princess slid it out of its sheathe with a metallic hiss. Balancing the blade in her hands, she sliced the air once, and twice. Smiling slightly, Bhrokiti sheathed the blade, belting it on her waist. Standing, she glanced to the door of her room. Opening her palm, Bhrokiti conjured a small ball of flame in her hand. Holding her other hand up close, she ran the flames through, hand over hand.

"I'll kill you Tan Chin. Then we will truly be free."

With a slight smile, she extinguished the flame in her hand with the power of her thought.

"I will do what you were afraid to, Father."

Bhrokiti smiled, and she left the room.

***
​

"I'm Yamako, and us street folk should watch each other's back after all. If you're feeling especially grateful I don't mind sharing the spoils." her chuckle rang silvery in the backdrop of the creaking cart and clopping of hooves.

Kian begins to reply, but the sound of another rider approaching stops him. Looking to Mako, he bows his head, his sapphire eyes sparkling in the light. A small, wordless smile crosses his lips as he rolls back under the cover, pulling it over him to obscure him.

Darkness.

Kian remembers..... He remembers a time long ago.

There were times that, despite his situation, young Kian managed to escape from it all. Near to Shou Lung, where the edge of his world met the sea, the Mar Celestial, he came. A small, idyllic secluded corner of the shore..... This was his secret place, and it was his alone. Here, nobody came, and nobody ever threatened to break this place's seclusion. It was beautiful, with the waves lapping up on golden sand. Here, Kian could come....and he could be free, even if only temporarily from the twist of fate that had been his life.

Overhead, the sun shone high in the cloudless, blue sky. The sound of birdsong echoed down into the secluded sandy cove.

It was here that the boy, Kian Le, stood alone. His form was silhouetted against the golden sun as he stood, balanced on a single wooden post that had been hammered into the ground. His eyes were closed and his arms were held out to either side. His expression was a mask of concentration. Above him, the birds wheeled in the sky, singing their peaceful, calming song. Around him, a cool breeze swirled around him. In the distance, high above the secret path he had used to come down here fertile, green grasslands and golden crops swayed in the breeze, their tips bending with the blowing of the wind.

Balanced precariously on the pole, Kian Le raised his left leg, bending it at the knee as the wind swirled. His forehead creased in concentration.

One....

Two....

Three....

Jumping, Kian brought his left leg down as he kicked out simultaneously with his right. Landing back on the pole, he kept his balance without falling. Opening his eyes, a wide grin split his face as he looked around. He'd been attempting this maneuver for months unsuccessfully. Every time he tried, he ended up on his backside, looking up at the sky. This was the first time he had kept his balance.

Opening his eyes, Kian smiles. Leaving Shou Lung the way he had.....it felt like he had taken his destiny back in his own hands. Holding the lockbox to him, he whispers softly.

"I will never go back. Whatever happens now, I'm free.....finally."

If he had known what was about to unfold, he would never have left......

All which is trapped in this box is you...and once it is empty so will you be left with the same emptiness...

Kian did not even realise how true those words would turn out to be........especially with the "prize" in the box still unrevealed.

***
​

Good day, sir. I did not mean to startle you, I have been travelling this road in search of a wanted bandit group. Word has it they could provide information on goods that were stolen.

Haldemar frowns at the words. Bandit group? Here on the roads? Glancing around, he looks at his surroundings. A thin veneer of trees gave way in the distance to rolling farmlands. In but another day or two, he knew that the group would leave the grasslands that surrounded Shou Lung. The peaceful, idyllic scenery around them would give way to the tundraland of the steppes. There, things would be more difficult. Grass and farm would give way to dusty, wind-swept trails. The temperature would dip dramatically. Ultimately, they would be forced to traverse dangerous, mountainous trails winding up into the peaks of the Katakoro's. If there were bandits in the region, then here would be the best place to strike.

Kayva speaks, and Haldemar finds himself nodding at her words. Finally, he responds himself.

"It is unusual to see one riding alone here. Especially with bandits around."

He narrows his eyes suspiciously, his unspoken words as clear as his spoken ones.

Perhaps you are one of them.

Nodding his head to her, he adds, "Especially an elf. What is your name, rider, and what it is that you seek?"

Haldemar glances back. Seeing his guards nearby, he felt more comfortable with their blades at his back.

In the back of the wagon, Kian peeks his head out and whispers, "Hey, what's going on out there?"

 

[MJK2431]

The female turned her horse around once she had reached the caravan, following the same direction that the rickety wheeled structure was heading along the road. Her stallion was restless beneath her, biting at his bit and stepping heavily at the slow pace being set by the caravan's steeds. He was slightly taller than average horses, bred and trained to accomodate for elves usually slightly taller, lankier stature. With Aza being a little smaller for an elf but above average for a human, she sat upon the great beast in such a manner that had she been even the slightest bit shorter the horse would almost look too big for her.

She looked around, grateful for the peaceful settings that the goddess had blessed her for travelling. She had received a hawk from one of her companions who was searching within the mountains that backed her home for information and within the message he had talked of non-too comfortable conditions.

"It is cold, Az. Feel as if I could shatter my elven steel on the rocks of the ground that's how solid and icy it is here. Lazarus could not have chosen a worst time to betray us with winter rolling in soon. Find a messenger bird and keep me updated on any further information you find."

The words repeated in her mind, the female knowing she was lucky to be faced with some sunshine in this region.

Especially an elf. What is your name, rider, and what it is that you seek?

Haldemar's words brought her out of her thoughts, his curious prodding for information not going unnoticed by the elven female. She raised a brow, loosening her grip on the reigns to try and ease the animal's chewing on the steel between his teeth that sounded in the stretching momentary silence before she answered. The way her name had been rolled around in his mouth just like the horses bit made her uncomfortable, ears flattening as a thought occurred to her.

Perhaps the long absence of elves in this land has brought a sourness to their presence when we do show face. I wonder if just this man hold such feelings or if it is shared among most of the inhabitants....

"My name is Azayla Aquus, sir. I am seeking an item of value to my people that was taken from my village." She gave the man a half truth, definitely not feeling trust enough towards him to give him the exact details of what she was doing away from home. The elders had been clear about not being transparent to anyone they met, the importance of what they were looking for might not be understood enough for those who were not brought up on the tales and responsibilities they were. It might also just be that anyone who saw a strange elf in a distant land looking for dragon eggs might think the elf crazy at such a notion. Dragons had been creatures of legends and myths for the elves themselves, so how could Azayla expect humans to believe the complete truth?

 

[Valen]

The room was nothing but cold stone. Swathed in blackness, that darkness was all-encompassing. Tiny patches of dark fog that swirled throughout the empty vastness of the cavernous chamber. In the center of the room, piercing the black fog, two swirling, golden eyes hovered, their luminescent radiance banishing the dark fog....to a certain extent. Not many came to this chamber. Not many dared to. With one exception. The door opened and a brash looking young woman entered the room. Her purple red hair fell beyond the nape of her neck. Her emerald eyes sparkled with mirth on her youthful face. Any dangerous illusions that one would have of this girl being harmless were banished by the twin blades she carried strapped to her back and the ease in which she carried herself in this chamber.

This girl was not afraid of the dangerous entity known as Tan Chin.

Circling the center of the chamber, the girl walked around the golden eyes. The fog parted at her passing, revealing four great, obsidian pillars carved with strange ruby red markings. In the center, the golden eyes hovered. Going round it, she drew one of her swords casually, running the flat surface of the blade against her tongue. Winking at the entity, she twirled the blade in her hand before embedding it in the ground.

"Darling. You desire me?"

Smiling brazenly, she winked towards the glowing radiance as the entities voice echoed around the chamber.

"Talia. Do not presume to overstep the mark."

Laughing, Talia winked again. "Don't threaten me dearest. You've brought me here because you have need of my skills, and you don't think the others are up to it."

She drew her second sword. Holding it vertically in front of her eyes, she turns it, embedding it next to the first. Standing, Talia's expression took on a dangerous edge as she narrowed her emerald eyes. "So.....darling, who do you want me to kill for you?"

The golden radiance burned brighter as Tan Chin allowed his fury to wash over the girl. "I could crush you from existence without blinking."

Talia stood tall in the face of the dark warlord's anger, unblinking. "Could....but won't. Not when you need people killed."

The warlord's fury receded slightly. "Not an assassination. More of an extraction this time."

Grinning, the swordswoman stuck her tongue out by way of response. "Who? Where?"

Tan Chin's words, when he spoke next, were unexpected. "The Dark One has surfaced once more. My guards retrieved it, however it was stolen from them. I want it, and I want the thief's head. He was last seen in Shou Lung."

An image appeared in front of her, floating in the dark miasma that was the warlord's current form. It was the image of a small, golden lockbox. A lockbox that was sealed with the clasp of a serpent. Talia bowed, picking up her swords and twirling one in each hand. "You know my price Tan Chin. Consider it done."

Sheathing the blades, the bounty hunter turned and walked away, striding boldly out of the chamber.

 

[Scalerender]

Reptilian eyes observed the exchange between the dwarf, the elf and the humans.

In the back of the wagon, Kian peeks his head out and whispers, "Hey, what's going on out there?"

"The shadows have no friends, those they envelop are as blind to the world as the world is to them..."

"We have only just started our journey, but we have been thankful not to come across any bandits," she answered. "Ours is but a merchant caravan from Shou Lung, half a day's ride from here. Perhaps it will be there you find those you seek."

The elf blindly ignoring the Dwarven female made the monk chuckle very lightly, a distinct soft hissing sound at the start of each rolling wave of the insidious sound. Eido knew the pitfall of arrogance, of being enveloped in one's own world and not in the present. Strange eyes locked on the Elven woman for a moment before closing. His chest rose slowly as he inhaled , shaping the air into words as he exhaled.

"Those who reach for the sun will turn blind before they reach it's radiant glory...They who keep their gaze set to the horizon do not see the pit before their feet...."

The monk spoke once more with no particular direction to the "wisdom" he was sharing. The long string of beads was slung upwards with a quick flick of the wrist, partially wrapping itself around his hand. A thumb slowly rubbed and rolled one of the beads pressed against his bent index-finger. For the first time the monk turned slightly towards another person, the Dwarf specifically. He spoke softly, his voice strangely melodic and gently like a silken whisper slowly sliding over one's ear.

"It is the way of some civilisations to instil a certain sense of pride in their identity, holding their values above those they deem lesser. People are inspired to great deeds in the name of something as random as ancestry, where one was born..which tribe or clan one "belongs" to. Pride will drive one to great heights but blind them to one's true self...Such is the price of pride.... Would you say this price is worth it, Master Dwarf?"

The hypnotic eyes sparkled and almost emitted some sort of glow, the changing angle of the light reflected caused a slow shifting of colour between that of gold, copper, silver and oxidated metal. It was quite the stunning sight, especially for a Dwarvenfolk. Aware of its effect he cautiously lowered his gaze, letting the tip of his hood form a barrier to prevent eye contact.

@inkdragon

 

[Maeriel]

Emerald eyes watched the cowled monk telling the story of the Scorpion and the Toad curiously, not entirely sure if she agreed with the lesson behind the words at all, in fact, she thought few things were as mutable as people, mutable and contradictory. "Old habits die hard? Maybe so..." Some such tales were actually not at all uncommon in and around Shou Lung, especially with monasteries dotting the place and high up in the mountains, but truth is, Mako hadn't really wandered through such circles... no... in fact, she had never received proper education as all. Such was not the lot of most orphans, which were plenty in these war-like lands, someone was always claiming to be emperor of something somewhere...

***
Many years ago...

*crack* The bamboo stick used by the headmaster echoed in the room as it hit Mako across her back. It was far from the first time she met such a fate. She bit the pain back, tasting blood. He won't hear me scream again.

The cook caught her stealing from the kitchen. The bitter old Wanese always under-served the young Mako, looking at her with disgust as if she had done the elderly woman harm. "That's enough for you, half-breed" she'd spit out when the girl pointed the previous orphans had gotten more food.

The cook watched satisfied from the corner of the headmaster's office, wooden spoon in hand which she used to effect on Mako's hand when the girl got caught. "What do you have to say for yourself?" said the dark skinned headmaster. Defiantly, the girl with the big green eyes looked up and said. "The chicken was dry." The backhand she got split her lower lip as tears stung her eyes. The Wanese woman was spitting a string of insults too quick for Mako to follow. That was the night she escaped the orphanage. She was 6.

***

Yamako tried to brush away the cold bitter rage that the memory brought, and watched the exchange growing less and less on guard. Thank the Gods... Mako is no warrior and she was certainly not looking forward to a confrontation so quickly into their long journey. Still, the news were strange. Shou Lung didn't receive many elves, most living across the ocean, as far as she knew. She'd never seen one with suck markings and all on their own, no less. It seemed rather weird for sure and the thief could still sense the tension in the air as words were traded and the merchant probed for information. A discreet gesture used by thieves in Shou Lung to indicate that he should lay low was all Mako afforded the curious Kian poking his head out the back as her arrow was returned to her quiver, bow remained in her hand, just in case.

Was what this elf searched something connected to the shiny box the hidden thief had ensconced in the back of the caravan? If that were the case, it might spell a lot of trouble for Kian... there was only so far a thief would go to lend a hand to another. It couldn't be... right? She hadn't come from Shou Lung, she didn't see any elves after the young man in the back. No, it was just a huge coincidence... not to mention happening upon a caravan with two wanted thieves! No. Yamako isn't wanted, White Fox is...

The conversation between the musical Eido and the dwarven Kavya definitely didn't escape Mako's notice. The words may not have been intended to the thief, but they sure seemed fitting to her, soothing even, to the memory that had crossed her mind. Yamako had long given up discovering her origins and the whole her ancestry left weighed especially heavily around the areas she grew up in, but Eido was right, it didn't define her, it didn't detract from her. The emerald eyed girl smiled softly and let the merchant handle the stranger, with any luck, their other uninvited guest would remain out of the man's notice.

 

[Valen]

Recognising the sign and ducking his head back under the furs, Kian would have left it there, laying low quietly until the rider went on her way. However, it seemed that the fickle hand of luck, the goddess Tymora had other things on her mind.

As the elven rider spoke with Haldemar, Kian began to notice something curious happen with the lockbox concealed within the folds of his shirt. It began as a slight tingling sensation against his chest, that began at the point that the rider appeared. Noticing it, his brow arched from curiosity. Bringing the box out slowly, he sits up under the fur. It was then that he realised that the lockbox was getting warmer.

Warmer, warmer and warmer until.........

"YEEEEOOOOWWWW!"

There was no missing the sudden exclamation of pain as the lockbox burns his hand. Dropping it, the golden box falls to the dusty roadside, bouncing twice before it lays on its side. Throwing back the blanket and rubbing his burned hand, Kian curses and begins to swear, "You bloody little....."

And then his eyes fall on the lockbox and his jaw drops in amazement.

For the lockbox is glowing. A bright light surrounds the box. A cloud of bright golden light, composed of what seemed to be a million glowing fireflies, all buzzing and floating around the surface of the box. These golden fireflies swirl around it at an almost dizzying speed. Watching it, mesmerised, Kian slides from the back of the cart.

"What are you?"

He whispers, stunned as he approaches the fallen box. Walking slowly, heedless of the others around him, he falls to one knee. As he does so, the lights suddenly fade and the cloud dissipates, almost as if it was never there..... Entranced, he reaches out with a trembling hand to pick up the box once more. And then, suddenly acutely aware of the silence around him, Kian turns round to see the shocked expression of Haldemar staring right back at him.

"I.....I can explain," he begins to speak.....

 

[MJK2431]

Azayla awaited the caravan owner's response, the female growing impatient with his questioning and queries. If this was indeed Haldemar, the one the bandits may have been after, then why was it the profitable goods inside the caravan were still untouched? She squinted, brows drawing together as she thoughts.

Perhaps the man was thoughtful in hiring followers with weapons. What an unusual group too, the mere gathering of such a mysterious crowd would cause any robber to halt in his tracks and wonder about what they were getting themselves into. Or....perhaps....I got the name of the caravan merchant wrong, maybe it was Hagerar, or a different Haldemar all together.

Then, there was a sudden yowl of pain that sounded from the back of the wagon, the source of the scuffle she had heard earlier showing himself as the fifth person she guessed now was a stowaway by Haldemar's suddenly darkening expression. The sudden bright flash of light in the corner of her stallion's vision made him rear up, Aza not losing her cool but rather looking rather relaxed and at ease as the animal lifted onto it's two back legs. The animal was trained for such things, lifting itself up in case of attacks from fire stones that exploded shrapnel at riders, the rearing meant to protect any rider the animal carried.

It soon landed back safely, ears swiveling around as it pawed the ground once more. Azayla hushed it quietly, saying strange words that sounded like a language of the wind and leaves. Her elven tongue would sound soothing and soft with the occasional guttural lilting on certain syllables. It was oddly graceful yet punctuated, a strange sound indeed to listening ears.

She looked down to the boy, her words silencing as she awaited to see the groups reaction to the newcomer. The source of the sudden bright flash was a quizzical sight to her, the female's curious nature getting the better of her as she waited to see what the item was.

 

[inkdragon]

"It is the way of some civilisations to instil a certain sense of pride in their identity, holding their values above those they deem lesser. People are inspired to great deeds in the name of something as random as ancestry, where one was born..which tribe or clan one "belongs" to. Pride will drive one to great heights but blind them to one's true self...Such is the price of pride.... Would you say this price is worth it, Master Dwarf?"

Kavya smiled, but it was slightly sad. Even as she spoke, her own heart still ached for her own clan, whom she had left behind in the mountains that had been her childhood home. "I fear you are right, Brother," she answered softly, not raising her voice enough to be overheard by the elf who was still conversing with Haldemar. "This world hardly belongs to us, as individuals, to mold for the better as we wish. The self has become unimportant when compared to ties of nation and clan - ties that can be used for ill as easily as for good. It is when the ties we have keep us from forming ties with others that our world begins to fail." She considered the question posed for a moment. "Pride can be a virtue or a failing, depending on how far it carries, and from whence it stems. Nothing in this world is cut from cloth of black or of white."

After sharing her thoughts, she chuckled, dropping her head. "But my words are not borne of the wisdom of any elders or scholars, merely of my own travels, brief as they have been. They may make sense to me alone. I believe-"

She was cut off by Kian's shout of pain, the blood draining from her face as he emerged from the cart. The little box he had been fiddling with was glowing, magical fireflies spinning around it in a dizzying pattern like nothing she had ever seen before. The boy seemed as confused as any of them, leading her to believe he truly had not known what he carried. As Haldemar approached, though, Kavya couldn't help but think Kian had larger problems to worry about. She felt for the young thief, and should it come down to it, she would defend him from physical attack, but she would not talk him out of the mess he had created.

 

[Valen]

"Well, well what have we here."

The malicious tone of Haldemar's voice would have left no doubt as to what his plans were for the young enterprising thief. Any lingering doubts around his intentions would have been extinguished at the point that the wily old merchant drew the sword belted from his waist. Metal freed itself from scabbard with a metallic hiss as he advanced on the stowaway, murder burning in his eyes.

Kian took a step backwards, eyes darting from side to side, looking for an escape route that quite simply was not going to present itself.

"Wait wait wait, let me explain myself ," Kian began.

When Haldemar reached out suddenly, grabbing Kian's wrist tightly, the youngster winced slightly. Pulling him towards him, Haldemar grinned crookedly.

"And what is this I see?"

Prising the golden lockbox from Kian's hand, Haldemar looks to it. Eyes gaze over the gold workmanship appraisingly. Shaking it, Haldemar was gratified to hear a small rattling coming from within.

"It is sufficient payment for the ride so far."

Kian scowled at the greedy merchants words and began to speak, "Now hang on a dam....."

The sudden pressing of the tip of Haldemar's blade to his chest cut off Kian's indignant words. Grinning, Haldemar secreted the lockbox into the pocket of his shirt. "But not enough payment to continue with us. I should turn you in to the Shou Lung guards so they can hang you like the common little thief you are."

Swallowing slightly and looking down at the sword, Kian instead reached out, somewhat impetuously, and pushed the tip of it away with his little finger. Haldemar raised an eyebrow despite himself, grudgingly impressed at the young thief's nerve.

"Before you get me hanged, let me speak. You're heading eastwards, towards the mountains are you not?" Thinking quickly, taking a hunch and a chance with the merchants destination, Kian nodded his head towards the towering peaks in the distance.

Haldemar's eyebrow raised further, and he made a small gesture with the sword, motioning for him to continue.

"Do you know the way through the mountain passes? If you don't, you've got no chance of getting through without a guide," Kian continued, bolder now. "For safe passage, I'll guide you through the mountains to the other side."

And with that, Haldemar sheathed his sword.

"Okay little thief, you've earned yourself a reprieve. I warn you though, if you renege on our deal I'll throw you over the mountain edge myself."

Turning away from him, Haldemar stalked past the elven girl, muttering as he climbed back onto his horse, "As for you girl, the road leads two ways from here. West, to Shou Lung, or east, to the Katakoro Mountains where we head."

Walking over to the cart, Kian sits down on the edge, and holds his head in his hands.

"What am I going to do now?"

His voice is barely more than a whisper.