Chapter 1 - Fair Maiden

Tariel couldn't help that a grin crossed his face when Inari tried to condescend him with the word "birdboy". Her ferocity was intriguing when it came to his animal characteristics almost like she had something to hide, but he suspended the thought for now. "I am Tariel-adon-hempher and I hail from the legendary 'Steppes of Grindrod' I am a foreigner to this land but i can imagine the punishment for murder and would much rather make peace with the Nine than listen to some high'n mighty lass and friends make pleasantries before we are taken to slaughter."

With that Tariel leans back against the wall of the wagon, the wood creaks from his added weight and maintains his prayers to the Nine 'I have got to get out of this shite hole and get back to my travels' he silently thinks to himself.

Yes, because clearly bowing thy head and averting thy gaze from the situation at hand is wiser, Tariel 'The Wise', murmured the dark voice inside Basura's head, bitterly.

"The 'legendary' Steppes of Grindrod? It must be quite legendary, considering I've never heard of the damn place," muttered Basura blithely. "As for the slaughter, well, there are worse things than a quick drop and a short stop, I should imagine. Not many, mind you, but still."

As the other two began to introduce themselves, if such a bland statement from the white-haired 'somebody' could even be called an introduction, Inari remained focused on Anna, gazing at her intently to make sure that Anna wouldn't divert her attention elsewhere.  Inari decided she needed to confirm her suspicions.  It was all too odd, after all - everything from the guards accusation earlier that Anna was impersonating someone else, to the very likely possibility that someone here had replaced Inari's hood to hide her identity.  

Birdboy began to speak.  At that moment, Inari pointed a finger directly at Anna, with as much tact as could be mustered while chained up, and began to neigh voicelessly Whisper.  The simple spell she cast amplified her voice towards Anna, allowing the girl to hear what only the most wolf-like creatures would be able to call audible.  The truly observant could probably lip-read the words she mouthed, but ideally the strangeness of birdboy, apparently named Tariel, could distract the rest of the group long enough.

"It is I, Anna.  Do not worry, the others cannot hear me, and you may whisper back, but must do so quickly."  As Inari whispered she shifted her gaze so as to not look any more suspicious to the rest of them, and she finally settled to watching Tariel as he spoke.  "You know about me, don't you?  But I don't know about you.  There is something that you are not telling us.  Tell me.  If we need escape now, I will help you - but I must know that I can trust you as well. "

Belorith wore a goofy smile as he watches his new inmates converse as it feels the mood had brighten. "man look at what a little sunshine can do on a stormy day..." belorith chuckles to himself as he begins to hum an old draconic nursery song leaning against the wagon wall.

  As he continues to hum the air around the room seemed to lighten and freshin as the soft soothing mealdoy plays on. he begins to sing the song softly and slowly. 

"Five little dragons went out to play, 
over the hills and far away;
Mother dragon said, “It's time for your snack.” 
But only 4 little dragons came back. "


"Four little dragons went out to play, 
over the hills and far away;
Mother dragon said, “It's time for your snack.” 
But only 3 little dragons came back. "

 Between each verse belorith takes a breath before continuing.

"Three little dragons went out to play, 
over the hills and far away;
Mother dragon said, “It's time for your snack.” 
But only 2 little dragons came back. "



"Two little dragons went out to play, 
over the hills and far away;
Mother dragon said, “It's time for your snack.” 
But only 1 little dragon came back."
 


"One little dragon went out to play, 
over the hills and far away;
Mother dragon said, “It's time for your snack.” 
But none of the 5 little dragons came back. "



"Worried mother dragon began to breathe fire, 
But the tears she shed made the fire expire;
Mother Dragon said, “It's a really good snack!”
And all of the five little dragons came back."

 As the nursery rhyme ends he keeps humming the tone before going quiet.
" ahhh now im at ease...." Belorith smiles lazily.

"Ye gods, they've started to crack already," murmured Basura when the dragon song ceased.

Then, with a sigh, he turned to the guards and said, loudly, "You know, we might be heading to the Kingdom of Biori, but kingdoms tend to have a lot of stuff as a part of them; we got a name for the city we're being hauled to?"

Emiya wrote:"It is I, Anna.  Do not worry, the others cannot hear me, and you may whisper back, but must do so quickly."  As Inari whispered she shifted her gaze so as to not look any more suspicious to the rest of them, and she finally settled to watching Tariel as he spoke.  "You know about me, don't you?  But I don't know about you.  There is something that you are not telling us.  Tell me.  If we need escape now, I will help you - but I must know that I can trust you as well. "

Anna seemed startled by the spell.  She turned her head to face Inari with beaming eyes.  Then, when Anna caught wind of what was going on, she looked down at the small patch of hay before her.  Waiting for an opportunity to reply without raising suspicion; she finally found her chance when Belorith opened up with a song.

Anna opened her mouth and spoke in a faint whisper, "My profession is acting as a decoy and personal servant to princess Anastasia Cyrix of Aluiar, and I am also one of the few who made it out of Bulgir.  We were on a diplomatic envoy to the Dwarf kingdom when the entire city was suddenly surrounded by a heavy storm.  Not long after the storm hit, demonic creatures of indescribable horror descended from the heavens and began slaughtering everyone they could find.  My master calls them 'The Befallen'.  The local garrison was squashed instantly, and the city was overrun with sheer animal panic.  The princess and us decoys were hauled off with the Dwarf king through a secret escape underneath the castle.  Halfway through our retreat, some of those monsters intersected us and killed everyone - everyone but I." 

Anna paused, "I managed to escape because I possess a powerful artifact.  The exact details and workings of this artifact are unknown to me; but my master tells me that its name is The Red Amulet.  Occasionally, my master takes over my sense of self and is able to harness its full capabilities for me.  Supposedly, I am a living breathing catalyst for the device; without me, the object is but a fancy heirloom."  Her eyes glanced up at Inari slightly, "After escaping the castle, I met up with a few other stragglers and we rode off together - trying to get to Plysi and warn the king there of what had happened.  However; we were intercepted by The Befallen halfway through our route - and I was once again removed from my body.  I don't know how far I went or what happened, but when I came to I was on a new shore." 

Anna clutched her hands to her bosom, "I believe a few of those creatures must have followed me - and that is what why those things attacked the tavern.   I don't know if you remember what happened, but my master told me that I spoke with everyone chained here.  I apologize on behalf of his negligence towards your feelings being dragged into all of this, but you have to understand that he must have found it expedient to make me contract you with The Red Amulet.  If we hadn't acted, my master tells me that Brori would already have been taken much like Bulgir.  At least this way, a city of people still have a chance at escape.  My plan is to absolve us all of guilt by convicing a distant relative to the princess that I am his niece.  He operates a mercantile monopoly of sorts in the city, and rarely visited home."

Anna moved slightly closer to Inari, and spoke one final time - "I understand that this may be difficult to believe, but it is the truth.  We are bound by the same contract, and so trust between all of us is paramount to survival.  To prove that I have nothing to hide, I give you the most dangerous of secrets - my master's symbol."  With that said, Anna slid her hand over and placed it in-between her leg and Inari's lap.  She opened her palm, to reveal a plain - pale surface.  A second later, a dark form appeared in the center of her hand, burned into her skin with some sort of magical force.  A sacred symbol appeared before Inari - a marking of the unspoken cult, that organization of heresy.  The symbol was black, with three circles connected by thick lines forming an equilateral triangle.  In the center of this shape opened up a small - black dot.  It seemed to be alive, as dark waves of fire emanated from its core.

Anna winced in pain and suddenly closed her hand shut.  She slowly arched her arm  back towards herself, and looked away; as if she had done something shameful.

At at moment, the gaurd yelled back - "Brori is a city state - much like the rest of 'em down here in Dragon's Spine.  One city for one kingdom.  Der's villages here and ther' but they don't have much for naming say for 'North Brori, 'South Brori, you get the picture.  Wouldn't worry to much about though - as you won't be leaving the main city after we get inside the walls!"

A small amount of time had passed before the caravan had finally left the thicket of the small forest and crossed a cobblestone bridge.  After crossing the bridge, the caravan happened directly upon the city's main southern gates.  The giant steel hinges could be seen poking out of the top of the wall, and countless wagons being pulled by horses, cattle, and people were leaving the city in a great exodus.  It seemed as if this small convoy of village refuges were the only semblance of traffic moving into the city.  When arriving at the gate, a tired and distraught Brori guard waved them over to move in.  When the wagon containing our adventurers passed the guard, the one on the wagon leaned over and asked bluntly "What the bloody 'ell is going on here?  Some plague?"  Before the wagon left the guard out of earshot, he replied waveringly "Haven't you heard?!  Bulgir has fallen to the underworld!"  The wagon guard slumped back into his seat - with a puzzled expression on his face.

Before long the wagons were in the city streets - and there were guard and professional soldiers lined up in a row along the roads.  They did not stand guard awaiting duty however; they were facing away from the convoy - towards the mass of people talking, yelling, and moving their valuables onto carts.  This did not at all resemble a peaceful mercantile empire.  Shops were being dissembled, and priests wandered through the crowds - offering prayers of good faith and protection.  It was very noisy and crowded - and everyone in armor seemed preoccupied with preventing a riot from breaking out.

After some time of wading through the traffic jams and halts by guards, the wagon containing the party had finally come to a stop.  Daniel jumped off the wagon, followed by the nameless guard.  The nameless guard then turned around and said loudly so he could be heard over the crowds "Alright - out with ye!  Starting with the vocalist!  Come on, single file line!" He shook his spear in the air.

Belorith with a grin gets up " right away sir" he leaps out and stands at the designated spot.

"Won't you come into my lair, said the spider to the fly," Basura murmured wryly, before standing behind the singing fellow from earlier; the populace's rush to leave the city seemed to indicate things were most certainly not going according to the guard's plans.

Basura was not, by most accounts, what one could call a vindictive man. But seeing the befuddlement on the irritating guard's face, even if only for a moment, gave him a sense of satisfaction.

Inari listened with baited breath as Anna poured out her entire story.  As Inari listened she felt she had no reason to distrust what Anna was saying - she seemed sincere in her words, and surely a liar would not have such a complex yet far-fetched story as this.  Inari quickly scanned the others to make sure they were not in on what was going on between the two, for although they shared the same contract, she did not know their true characters.

The deal was sealed when Anna drew closer and revealed the symbol of heresy on the palm of her hand.  Inari's eyes grew wider as the black dot appeared amidst the triangular symbol.  One did not need to be a sorcerer to know what this meant, and yet Inari in all of her long years had never seen this symbol, and for good reason.  Rumor, however, was a powerful thing, and one thing taught to every human born on this continent, even those in her once small village, was that such a symbol was utter heresy and must not be associated with.

When did her simple adventure, at first only to get away from her old village, get so complicated?

As Anna finished speaking and the spell completed, Inari sat back once again in her seat and laid her head back so she could watch the roof.  The symbol of heresy and the red amulet - these all had to do with the event from earlier.  Once again she wondered as she did earlier who exactly she had made a contract with, and for what purpose.

These thoughts dwelled on her as the caravan began to enter the city.  The citizens bustled with some kind of chaos, as if the world around them were falling apart.  Perhaps it really is, given what she had heard from Anna.  Regardless, Inari stepped off the wagon as requested, and with a calm expression got in place behind the white-haired somebody.  She noticed Tariel get off behind her and momentarily turned to face him.  Amidst all the disquieting information and the exhaustion she had just put her brain through, she still hadn't forgotten about giving him a hard time.  Letting bird creatures know their place was of utmost importance, after all.

"Remember, bird-boy, look but do not touch."  She raised her head as if looking down at him - although he was clearly taller if not for her attempt to appear larger - then twirled around to face the front.  "Be an obedient birdy and you may even escape alive with my assistance.  That goes for the two of you to the front as well - we shall not be ended here in this foreign city." 

She spoke with more bravado than confidence.  After all, the person they had with them bore the mark of heresy, a sure death-sentence for all of them should it be found.  Even so, a heretic that is still around must have learned a trick or two.  Either way, their only hope was to stick with Anna, for they would be hunted down even if they did manage to escape alone, for they were now inseparably tangled in this web.

Tariel had fallen into a light sleep, and was flying through the air high above the earth and all of its problems. He awoke at the stopping of the wagon, the guards told them to get out. Tariel slowly got up, in no real hurry to get closer to oblivion he waits for everyone else to get off. That bossy little girl went ahead of him and he lumbered behind her, the wagon creaking and swaying with each lazy step he made with a thud. He slowly descended the little 2 step off the wagon, and made his place behind the Mage girl. 

She turned and started to speak at him but he did not hear, he was still fixated on the dream of his home and was longing to return to the skies. He caught the last snippet of her sentence "Be an obedient birdy and you may even escape alive with my assistance." To that he could only chuckle, "When you want to escape just let me know, i will gladly carry you" and with that he laughed deep and full. One of the guards poked him with a spear and told him to be quiet, Tariel turned his head and glared the man down till he was satisfied that the man heard what his eyes were telling him and continued to stand in his place.

As Anna took her steps off the wagon the guards took to either side of the party and moved them by spear point towards a large, decaying fortress-like structure.  The rest of the convoy dispersed and scattered into the crowds.  It seemed the people of Upter had no idea what was going on, and were eager to hear the news.

The gloomy building our adventurers were goaded into had an atmosphere entirely different from the blue skies of the outside world.  The building's bricks had a dark-green tint to them and the numerous torches lined upon the walls dotted the seemingly endless hallways and corridors.  Even within this fortress, there seemed to be a sense of panic.  The robed officials could be seen scattering like rodents as whispers echoed through the chambers of this large court.  The chain-gang was eventually stopped before a court guard, who's armor brilliantly outclassed that of the village guards.  A tint of jealousy was found in the nameless guard's voice as he explained to the court guard that the ones in chains were to be sent on trial for mass-murder and practicing black magic.

After this conversation, the court guard escorted all of them into a large room, which opened up to a wide ceiling with chandeliers and tall stained-glass windows.  At the forefront of this room was a series of stone pillars which guided the eyes towards the wooden desk; seated there was a visibly aged high elf.  He seemed extremely busy as various scrolls and texts fluttered around his desk.  The party was forced to kneel before the judge, and then the escort cleared his throat.

"Excuse me, your honor, the accused from Upter are here to be judged...", said the court guard.  The judge gazed down unimpressed through his small, circular spectacles.

The nameless guard from earlier spoke up, "These vagabonds 'er blew up our town and killed many people  - at least  a quarter of our locals were sacrificed by their fiery exchanges!"

The judge coughed and leaned back on his throne.  He looked upon the whole party and then filtered through his dirty desk to find his gavel.  In a very refined and elderly voice, he spoke "Right now, this entire civilization sits on the precipice of disaster.  I do not have time to entertain such petty matters as what goes on in fishing villages."  He seemed angry with the nameless guard more than anything.

"But 'er honor, countless families were slaughtered by these heretics!  We'z got plenty 'ah proof!  There in the burning remains of our little shop laid these four - to-tally unscratched!... With the littl' tart here tending to one of 'em!" He pointed at Anna.

Annoyed, the judge said "Very well, execute them tomor-"

"Wait!" - Screamed Anna.  The judge shot a piercing glance at the fair maiden.

The judge shot out "How dare you speak to a Royal Judge of the Brorian court! ..."

Another interruption from Anna abruptly silenced him, "How dare you make an Aluian Royal kneel before you!  Much less pass judgement on one."  Her voice was full of defiance and wit, yet still was held back by a youthful tone.

At the point, the judge of furious - it was clear he was accustomed to receiving the utmost respect.  "To impersonate a Royal of an allied Kingdom is punishable by death from excruciating torturer.  Just who are you pretending to be?!"

Anna retorted, "I am daughter to King William Cyrix!  Princess Anastasia Cyrix!"  If you or your men so much as hurt me or my guardians your whole kingdom will face the wrath of the invincible Aluian army!"

For a moment the high elf seemed to have had his bluff called.  He did not actually expect this little wench to make a legitimate claim.  He instantly understood the consequences of harming a Royal ally - and in this most dangerous time, he did not want to harm the balance the alliance between his kingdom and the Aluians.  With a daring glare, he leaned over his filthy desk and peered deep into the soul of the young girl.  "Very well Princess - I know of your uncle, he owns a sizable company in Brori.  I shall have him pay you a visit - and this should clear your name."  He shouted in anger, "If he does not find you legitimate - you and your 'protectors' shall be burned at the stake!"  He then slammed his wooden gavel on the desk - which echoed with a loud thud throughout the room.

The court guard answered after some time "Where shall be put them until then, your honor?".

The high elf looked away at some scrolls and waved his old, crusty hand - "Take the girl to her uncle's homestead, and keep her under house arrest."

"And of her personal guards?"

"....Throw them in the dungeon bellow the city."

...

The rest of the day had passed.  The party was sulking away in a small red dungeon.  It was moldy and a skeleton was chained to a wall in the corner.  None of the party members were in chains, but were locked behind a steel gate which was guarded by two seemingly impassioned soldiers.  The dark room's only source of light was a small torch outside the cell - situated right above the black gate.  This dungeon was pratically in the sewers, as running water from the city's underground system could be heard - as well as smelled.

All seemed quiet and hopeless.  A rat squeaked and passed by the gate.

Suddenly, a soft but punctual explosion was heard in the distance.  A muffled boom.  A few pebbles fell from grace and danced about the cobblestone floors.  The guards looked at each other worryingly.

"Suppose we should look into it then..."  "What of this lot here?"  "They're dead by tomorrow, and there's no way escaping this prison."  "Yeah... but whatever the hell's going on out there, I don't want to be a part of it!"  "Well, maybe, but if the army finds out we didn't rush up to help, it'll be us behind this gate by the morrow."  This back and fourth proceeded for awhile, until eventually they grabbed their weapons and ran off.

A few more moments passed, and it seemed quiet again.

Then, everyone in the party heard a faint - familiar voice.  The voice of Anna.  Stand away from the walls.  I'm coming to save you.

After a few seconds, the eastern wall bubbled and melted away.  It collapsed as if it was made of sawdust, leaving in its wake a large, black void.   Out of the shadows stepped a small girl; wielding in one hand a torch, and in the other - a large glowing Amulet.  The center was red like the burning sun, and a soft sound emanated from it in pulses.  Behind her stood two guards, staring blankly into the western wall behind the party.  One of them tossed down a large sack, which clanked with armor and weapons inside of it.  Then, Archimedes flew in from the darkness and perched itself on Belorith's arm.

"This is all the property I could steal before arriving.  I'm sorry, as I do not have time to explain.  I would have rather exited Brori with more civility, but it would be foolish to let this opportunity pass.  It's now or never, friends."  Anna paused, "Quickly, we must do our best to leave before the guards come rushing back to their posts."

Game Master wrote:An encounter has begun!  Please refrain from posting until the encounter has been resolved.