The Tarnished City

Jade lept off of the ground where she was sleeping, a knife in hand, uncomfortably close to Marcus's face. Marcus flinched, completely unsuspecting of the move. She squinted, then her body relaxed in a tired whimper.

"Sorry... Next time, wake me up by shouting from really far away. I enjoy your company too much to accidentally kill you when I wake." Jade looked like death incarnate; bloodshot, demonous eyes, and hair that would scare even Joe the Barber in his hometown of Aporia.

"Alright... duly noted." Marcus blew out a breath of relief. "You should get all of your stuff. We're going East to investigate a vision that I had last night. There may or may not be danger there. The others are at the Cathedral, having gone after Mixine, who tramped into there like she owned the place." Marcus grimaced, remembering Vetiver's comments about him. "The others followed her to make sure she was safe. While they are doing that, I thought we'd be useful and investigate the East side of the city. We'll come back here in the evening. Would you like to come with us?"

 

Vetiver

Vetiver listened thoughtfully as Duke Selzec answered Mixine's questions, rubbing his square chin. When Mixine asked Merrique a question, Vetiver stepped forward. "Sir Duke," Vetiver said politely. "We have a group of people waiting for us and I think they would like to hear everything you've told us so far, and they might have some questions of their own. They're not exactly a patient bunch either, so if we doddle too long they might leave without us. Would you mind coming back with us?"

There was a soft hiss as Vetiver's snake, Xibalba, slithered through the doorway. They're talking about going after the ring, Xibalba thoughtspoke to its master.

Vetiver nodded, frowning slightly. They called us fools for going into the City alone yesterday, and now they're going after a ring without waiting for us. Hipocrites. The lot of them.

 

Mixine looked down at the snake strangely and grinned, "Want to talk about this over dinner?"

Lowering herself down and breaking from Merrique's grip, Mixine pulled out her rod and pointed it at Vetiver's snake from under her cloak. She was completely unaware of its existence and prepared to fry the snake, "Delicious morsels usually hide under rocks and ledges not slither through the front door..."

 

Selzec looked at Vetiver, giving a simple nod as he pulled himself upwards and walked towards them, stopping for a moment and heading back, picking up a bottle before coming towards them again. "Tynivan Red." He stated. "I've been saving it for a special occasion." He paused for a moment, shaking his head as if making up from a deep sleep. "I am ready to depart."

 

Merrique

"Delicious morsels usually hide under rocks and ledges not slither through the front door..."

Merrique slapped the side of Mixine's cloak a little roughly. "Hey, don't kill people's pets, that's rude," she chided gently. "Besides, that boa constructor is too big for you to eat in one meal. Look at it, it's huge. And haven't you noticed that since we entered the City we haven't gotten hungry or thirsty? This place keeps us magically full."

"I am ready to depart."

"Goody!" Merrique exclaimed. "Let's get back to the group." She walked past everyone to the door and, on her way past Vetiver, patted him on the arm and gave him a little smile. For some odd reason that she couldn't explain, Merrique felt bad for holding Mixine's hand in front of Vetiver and she was trying to make up for it.

 

Vetiver

Vetiver scowled at Mixine. Was he really supposed to believe that she hadn't noticed that Xibalba was his snake? They had been traveling together for at least three days, The Tent would have to be completely oblivious not to notice the boa constructor following Vetiver around.

"Up, up," Vetiver told the snake. As it was curling around his leg, up his torso, and across his shoulder, Merrique passed him by and patted his arm, giving him a little smile. Vetiver smiled back and, acting on impulse, he grabbed one of her hands and slipped his fingers through hers, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"We should hurry," Vetiver said without meeting Merrique's eyes. He strode through the door and back onto the street.

 

The journey back to the encampment was short and uneventful, the duke being quiet most of the way. There was something about the way he walked, long strides filled with purpose and a confidence in his posture. As he moved it also became clear there armaments on his back, a long hooked spear, decorated with golden wings. The other item was a large kite shield, bearing the image of a griffin on a green field. "So, what is it you wish to ask?" He said, looking towards Marcus and Jade for a moment before returning his gaze to the others.

 

Mixine pouted and looked at Merrique a bit sheepishly on the way back, "Last night when we met you... it was getting dark and I cannot see much with my hood and mask on. Still... a pet snake... Ugh, I..."

It irritated her to no end to admit she was in the wrong and she puffed up her cheeks as she said to Vetiver while still watching the snake on the way back, "I am sorry for trying to eat your pet."

One of Mixine's favorite meals was snakes and the thought of not needing to eat in this land was one which confused and irritated Mixine all the more. Had not Vetiver made food? Her pack contained plenty of freshly caught fish that she was planning to feast on this evening, but she had killed them for nothing then. It tore at her that she had thought so little of Vetiver's own crass actions when hers were no better in the end.

As they returned to camp, Mixine was still irritated about the situation and did not know what to do with herself. Every passing moment made her feel more inadequate and ignorant, but there was nothing she could really do to change that. All the frustration built up in her and she fidgeted before pulling her hood on over herself and retreating over to Jade. She wanted to know everything about this city, but lacked the courage to show her complete an utter ignorance in front of Vetiver. She did not even know how Vetiver managed to do different types or magic or if such a skill was able to be taught.

From deep within Mixine's body the magic power she had so hated reacted to her stress and sent a shock of pain through her body. She winced and clenched her fist in response to it, her command over the power was never trained and it did not always act in accordance with her will. On some level, Vetiver's words were right and she would rather die then admit to him that fear and anxiety caused her to lose control of it.

When it was her turn to ask a question of Duke Selzec, she asked one which weighed heavily on her conscience, "The 'false knights' and other entities of this place are they human or magicked? Knowing the foe is critical, even the smallest detail is a matter of life or death."

 

"I do not know precisely. for I am no sorcerer. All am aware of is that when they are slain and the mists retreat, their corpses fade, yet Rundas's brand only wounds them, not the complete destruction you'd expect if they were constructs." He replied, hauling a chunk of broken stone from the wall to the centre of camp, using it quickly as a seat.

 

"Alright... duly noted." Marcus blew out a breath of relief. "You should get all of your stuff. We're going East to investigate a vision that I had last night. There may or may not be danger there. The others are at the Cathedral, having gone after Mixine, who tramped into there like she owned the place. The others followed her to make sure she was safe. While they are doing that, I thought we'd be useful and investigate the East side of the city. We'll come back here in the evening. Would you like to come with us?"

Jade nodded, and rubbed her eyes. The city was beggining to get to her, with its strange powers and the visions everyone was starting to see. The sensible thing was to leave, she knew, and yet, for some reason, a final decision in her mind told her to stay. It was a frightening thought.

She heard footsteps, and suddenly the rest of the group arrived, with another addition. We really have a habit of picking random people up, she thought. Mixine appeared next to her, and Jade gave her a small smile, before looking at the rest.

"Welcome back" she called. "I'm sure what you are about to tell us is truly exciting. But first there a much more important question." Jade turned to Merrique. "Do you happen to carry a comb with you?" Jade had a feeling asking Mixine this question would be quite useless.

 

Merrique

Merrique tried her best not to show how good it felt to hold Vetiver's hand. His fingers were very long and they practically curled around her entire hand. Kind of like a spider wrapped around a fly, she thought, which caused her to giggle. Vetiver may be a royal butt-head at times, but something about him drew her in. He was mysterious, aloof, snobbish...but she could tell that he still had a heart. Just look at they way he treated Acai, taking that poor peasant boy under his wing. Sure, Vetiver could be a bit nicer, but something told Merrique that she could change him if she really worked at it.

The Lady Sorceress smiled at Jade when she asked for a come. "Of course, Fierce Warrioress!" She dug around in her satchel for a moment before pulling out a long-toothed ivory comb. "I made it from the tusk of a giant boar that attacked me on the road," Merrique explained. She tossed it in Jade's direction with a casual flick of her wrist.

Then Merrique turned her attention to Duke Selzec. "Who is this Rundas you speak of?" she asked. "And his mark...does it look like this?" Merrique let go of Vetiver's hand to shift her cloak and show Duke Selzec the gruesome brand on her shoulder.

 

He nodded. "I know little of him, only the words he'd mutter as he walked past my prison, rambling on about lack of insight and how he must starve the flesh. Anyone have a glass? I'd rather not drink this out the bottle." He stated, looking at the group as he held aloft the bottle."

 

Mixine shook her head, "Sorry, I do not carry proper drinking cups. This Rundas, is he the Fat Bishop you spoke of before?"

From within her pack, Mixine fiddled with something and she started to blush as she looked at Duke Selzec. She wished that she had brought some proper ones. All that she carried was strong brown glass for mixing medicines and oils, completely unsuitable for enjoying drinks. Turning to Vetiver, she pouted before giving him a selfish smirk as if she was letting him do the honors. The only sizable cup she had was unsuitable for drinking now and forever after her time on the road. She looked at Merrique and stared at her brand, she would have to offer her medicine to help heal the flesh. Though her salves were extremely tough on the skin, most needed to be mixed before application. Seeing the brand made one thing clear to her, magic could not solve all problems.

 

Jade lightly nodded, staying still for a moment, clearly thinking about something. She... was pretty.

Then he heard footsteps from far away, and he turned to the rest of the group back, but with an addition. An older man who fiddled with a bottle filled with liquid... it looked like alcohol. Marcus nearly retched at even the thought of the taste.

"Welcome back." Jade called. "I'm sure what you are about to tell us is truly exciting. But first, there a much more important question." Jade turned to Merrique. "Do you happen to carry a comb with you?"

Merrique laughed, a few notes dancing through the air. This woman was something else. He seriously needed to get his hormones in check. "Of course, Fierce Warrioress! I made it from the tusk of a giant boar that attacked me on the road." Merrique dug around in her satchel for a second before flicking it over to Jade, who caught it easily. Merrique turned to the newcomer, "Who is this Rundas you speak of?" she asked. "And his mark...does it look like this?" She showed him the mark that he had seen before on her arm, and he saw a look of recognition on the man's face. He nodded.

"I know little of him, only the words he'd mutter as he walked past my prison, rambling on about lack of insight and how he must starve the flesh. Anyone have a glass? I'd rather not drink this out the bottle." He waves his bottle around in the air.

Marcus's lip twitched. They had brought an alcoholic with them. A memory slid into his head; his father at the table, drunken slurs dragged off of his tongue, yelling at mother. Him hauling him off to bed and cleaning up in the morning. His nose wrinkled in disgust at the memory. The man was apparently a prisoner. He eyed the alcohol in his hand; he didn't seem like much of one. Spilling the poison on the ground, where it would cause the least harm, would only take an arrow... However, there were others here, and common sense still took some root in his head. He eyed Mixine as she rooted around in her pack, finding nothing, and saying something. Why would anyone carry around such an instrument of poisonous, murderous evil?

A pleasant smile was wrought onto his face, "Of course." He took out a small glass that he had brought with him in his satchel. A reminder of both of his parents; both the good and bad. Beautiful without poison... sickly with it. "Help yourself."

 

"Of course, Fierce Warrioress! I made it from the tusk of a giant boar that attacked me on the road."

Jade rolled her eyes as she caught the comb. Fierce warrioress? Merrique was one strange lady, annoyingly so. She began combing her hair as the conversation continued around her. The newest addition to the group appeared to be a drinker, it seemed. Jade had seen plenty of those people. They were easy to manipulate, that was for sure.

 

He took the glass and gave a murmured thanks before pouring the bottle and removing the helmet, revealing a man of late age, wrinkles around grey eyes that were slowly turning milky. His skin would have held a natural tan, if not for the lack of sunlight, and his hair was black, and him clearly balding and no attempt to cover it up. "To good health, and freedom." He took a long gulp, drinking the entire glass in one motion, and quickly spitting it out. "It appears to have gone off, I must apologise for the lack of manners." He stated, before throwing the rest of the bottle away.
"As for the question from the small one, no, 'tis the hunter of who I speak, The Bishop is a creature I know naught of except appearance."

 

His appearance was inhuman, skin paler than fresh snow and eyes that matched, only a small, black pupil visible at the centre of the lidless, unblinking spheres. His hair, or at least, what little there was, was ragged, clinging to the back of an elongated skull. His cheeks were sunken, and mouth lacked lips, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, that seemed to be merging together, gaps between them growing thin as the enamel crept up the gums, giving them the same pale shade.

 

Mixine's sighed as if she had hoped it would be that easy and watched as Duke Selzec emptied the still-good-to-her remains onto the ground, "Oh.. Umm.... It is customary to give some to the earth as tribute..."

She was less suspicious of Duke Selzec and found him to be more pleasing and trustworthy because of his age. Much like the quiet Mahtr, there was a boundary line which Mixine differentiated men by. The formality from which he acted made her upset at herself. If he was really a prisoner and this land really was evil... perhaps he could be trusted. She whispered to Jade, "He's like father..."

Moving over to Duke Selzec, Mixine bowed her head a little and smiled at him, "Duke Selzec... What will you do now that you have your freedom? Will you leave this place and return to your countrymen or are you going to seek retribution on your jailer?"

 

"He's like father..."
Jade nodded tiredly. The girl took a liking to that old man in front of her. Oh well, she sighed to herself, and continued to comb her hair, plinching as it got stuck in some of her more troublesome knots.

"Duke Selez... What will you do now that you have your freedom? Will you leave this place and return to your countrymen or are you going to seek retribution on your jailer?"

That man was imprisoned, it seemed. Jade realised she had missed out quite valuble information. She walked over to Vetiver, comb still stuck in her hair, and whispered to him, "Brief summery of what happened while I wasn't around, please?"

 

"I have been trapped for some time, acting as bait for the creatures at night. You're companies liberated me from my cell so that I might act out my own goal." He replied to Jade, before turning to the rest of the group. "Now, I have a question of my own, do you have a recent map? I am unaware of the shape of the world at the moment, and wish to acquaint myself again."

 

Merrique

It did not escape Merrique's notice that Jade had rolled her eyes. And now Jade was whispering to Vetiver. The Lady Sorceress's sunny smile lessened, just a tiny bit, but only for a brief second. If Jade kept it up, Merrique would put her on her List...and Merrique's List was not a nice place to be. Everyone she had previously put on the List had been punished accordingly, and great number of them were no long living.

Merrique smirked as she remembered a spiteful girl that had tried to cut her long ringlets because she was jealous. Merrique had magically bound the girl from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet, and that girl had been paralyzed for a whole three days. Without her magic, it would admittedly not be as easy to punish Jade, but Merrique was creative...she would find a way.

"Calm, calm," Merrique whispered to herself. She forced herself to look away from Jade and she focused on Duke Selzec. "I have one more question," Merrique chirped, giving him a dazzling smile. "Do you know anything about a ring? The First Scholar's ring? Vetiver mentioned it and I was just wondering if you had any idea what it was?"

 

Mixine stooped a bit lowered to check out Duke Selzec's armaments, her eyes lingering on the spear and the kite shield with a bit of awe. Did this man really have the tenacity and strength to wield both of them at the same time? Hearing of Merrique's question, she was pulled back to a sad reality that most of the group had come to obtain items of personal nature. Having slept through Marcus and Vetiver's discussion, Mixine chalked it up to mere grave-robbing.

"Please do not involve the great Duke Selzec in petty pillaging or grave-robbing," Mixine puffed out her chest and pulled out her bundle of fresh fish and frogs as if she had been planning to share all along, "I believe that a meal is in order. Vetiver, start the fire and let's give him a fitting meal and some hot tea."

She lowered her voice as if to whisper to only Duke Selzec, "You have gone through the definition of Hell. Magical sustenance be damned, nothing beats real food and drink."

There was something a bit bubbly about Mixine's demeanor that seemed off, her true intentions and motivations were hard to discern, but she seemed enamored with Duke Selzec. Even as she tried to make amends for her suspicions of him, they did not seem to be entirely gone. Her attention was held by those with overt or arcane strengths, but this was different from her initial reaction to Merrique. With a slight wink to Jade, Mixine pointed to Duke Selzec's spear and extended her little finger briefly, "Surely, you did not come here for a ring?"

 

"I know nothing of any ring, nor any first scholar, andi give thanks for the offer of food." He replied. "As for why I came here, for the gods' blessings."

 

"I know nothing of any ring, nor any first scholar, andi give thanks for the offer of food." Duke Selez replied. "As for why I came here, for the gods' blessings."


The god's blessing. Jade thought of the three statues she saw at the city's entrance. "The gods?" She asked. "You mean, the three statues at the entrance? Faceless Relatus and these other two? Is this city where they dwell?"

 

Selzec looked down and his hands made the shape of a diamond with his thumbs and index fingers. "Tyniva, may she oversee all our labors and grant us peace, Marius, grant us righteous strength and victory in times of war, and may Relatus grant us a content dream." He looked up, as if awaking from a deep sleep. "Formless Relatus." He said, his tone one of correction. "And how are you not aware of this city, how long has it been isolated for?" He asked, his tone now, one of demand, losing its softness and the gentle warmth it held slowly turning to hot anger.