Zion: Light of the New Moon, Ch 2.2 Doen
Zion - Light of the New Moon Chapter 2.2
Doen The Unguarded
The contributing readers elected for Zachary to speak on the caravan's behalf. We'll have to hope the little fellow has it in him!
"No offense, ladies and gentlemen..." Dillan Flynn began. It was one of those ways people start a comment when they know it will offend but decide to say it anyway, "...but I think this decision is imbecilic." Our discussion must have looked incredibly silly to the guards of the Wayside as they watched us try to figure out who to send inside to speak with their lord.
"Understood, Mr Flynn. Thank you for your input." Narissa acknowledged, "This is Brother Zachary's expedition and, as the head priest, it only makes sense that he be the one to announce us and conduct the negotiations."
"But negotiating is my business!" the ferret objected further.
"Is getting your nose indented your business too?" questioned Rust, slamming his metal hammer-fist into his fleshy palm.
The ferret threw his paws up into the air in exasperation, "Sometimes I wonder why I even try." and he stormed off to his wagon.
"He might have a point." I added, "Mr. Flynn is far more suited to this kind of thing."
"Mr. Flynn," Rust stated, accentuating my use of his name in a way that sounded almost insulting to the merchant, "is used to BUSINESS negotiation, not diplomacy." he was still watching the ferret go, "His idea of getting us entry would probably involve selling someone off into indentured servitude or giving up a few wagonloads of supplies that aren't his to give."
"Lord Rust," I interjected, "I understand that you don't particularly like Mr Flynn--"
"That's an understatement, Zachary." the echidna interrupted, "I've seen his kind before, and I've seen what they--"
"His 'kind'?" I countered.
"Right... merchants like him." Lord Rust stated, motioning toward the wagon which Dillan was climbing into.
"You've dealt with him for a matter of a week and you already claim to know him?" I asked, "I know that you are not a fan of all of the temple's teachings, Lord Rust, but you MUST still hold true to--"
"All are unique; all are different; to truly know one you must forget what you know of everyone else." the echidna quoted as well as any priest I'd ever heard.
"Right." I nodded, "And you think Dillan is 'just another one of those kind'."
The echidna chuckled, "Zachary... that quote is in reference to parishioners and supplicants. Goddess, boy... you can't treat everything like a sermon."
"Why not?" I asked, "We're all faithful."
"Because not everyone is as faithful as you are, Brother Zachary." Narissa spoke up, stepping between me and Rust. I had one of those strange split feelings-- I was happy that she broke up the argument, which wasn't getting either of us anywhere, but at the same time it felt like she was taking his side.
"You agree with Lord Rust's assessment of Mr. Flynn?" I had to ask.
"Perhaps not to the degree he does, but I think you ARE the best choice for this task." she smiled her pleasant smile and kissed me on the forehead, "You're willing to give everyone a chance, Brother Zachary, and that's a beautiful thing... now what about giving YOURSELF a chance?" her smile broadened, and I realized then that I couldn't deny her point. Letting out a deep breath, I turned to face the two guards waiting for our representative. The one on the left, a boar, waited just inside the raised portcullis while the one on the right, a rhino, waited just outside it. "Just one." the rhino stressed as I looked at those gathered around me. Letting out a deep breath, I approached the keep.
I followed the boar and the rhino through the large double-doors. Glancing back to the caravan I saw numerous travelers lined up to see me off. Dillan Flynn was off to the side looking like a scolded acolyte, arms crossed, broad scowl creasing his muzzle. Beside him was Taggart, waving encouragingly, tail languidly swaying from side to side; it was obvious that he had faith in me. Narissa and Rust were there as well, each with a paw held up, palm out in a confident farewell that spoke of their reassurance that we'd be back together soon with a positive outcome. I even saw Zeke's vulpine eyes peering out from a wagon window.
Strangely enough, Jasper made no big scene about following me. What was odder yet was the fact that neither of the guards objected. The rat casually strolled beside the rhino, thankfully providing a little bit of a buffer between me and the enormous guard. Jasper glanced at me and provided a reassuring smile. Though the thought of them allowing two of us into the keep seemed odd when they made it very clear that only one person would be meeting with Lord Parayas. The portcullis closed with an audible thud behind us amidst the sound of chain links settling.
"Remember... just be polite and keep to the point." Jasper announced, patting my shoulder.
"You're not coming with?" I asked, hoping that my apprehension in my voice didn't sound as clear as I thought it did.
"You heard em... just one from the caravan gets to meet with the lord." the rat winked. The rhino rested an enormous hand on Jasper's shoulder and led him off down another hall.
"Where..." I spoke, and was awarded with a glare from the boar who continued leading me. Despite the gaze I continued my question, "Where is he taking Jasper?"
The boar let out a single bleating 'ha', "Yer guide made a few friends here last time he came through... he's allowed in any time he wants so long as he keeps his end up."
"His end of the bargain?" I asked.
"Bargain?" the boar looked at me, obviously confused.
Glancing back to Jasper I saw that the rat's tail had slipped down the front of the rhino's pants; things suddenly made a lot more sense. I didn't have any more time to dwell on the thought, however, as the guard stopped at a set of large metal doors and issued a rapid knock. The doors opened, and I was struck dumb by what I saw; the antechamber was probably the greatest hall I'd ever seen outside the temple. The vaulted ceiling overhead was, in a great display of engineering, arched with a collection of columns rising up from the ground to meet overhead every few dozen feet. The walls between the arches were, as the rumors said, completely mirrored.
Glass Hall was every bit as impressive as the stories I'd heard. As the rhino led me to the two oak doors at the far end of the hallway I couldn't help but look around everywhere. The mirrors covering the walls looked like pure silver and the images contained within them were as clear as looking at the object portrayed within the reflection. Each of the guards in the long hallway were dressed in what looked like parade best. Though the guards at the temple had some of the finest weapons and armor imaginable they usually reserved wearing them for special occasions. I remember wondering if the guards in Glass Hall always wore their best, or if they considered our visit to be one of those special occasions. At that point, the double doors leading to the throne room opened, and I focused my attention on the task at hand.
I was able to identify Lord Parayas immediately, because he was the only lion in the room (which helps when you're told the lord of the keep is a lion), but also because his bearing was unmistakable: tall, regal, noble, self-assured and, everything else aside, he WAS the one sitting in the throne. I jumped when a herald off to my right loudly proclaimed, "Brother Zachary, 3rd Tier Priest of the temple of Doen, son of Great Father Meier, high priest of the temple city of Doen." They obviously knew a lot about me-- I didn't recall having anyone provide that information to them. Despite the thoughts bouncing around in my head I remembered my manners, and bowed to the lion.
"You stand in the presence of Lordship Parayas Rakken, second son of Alendale Rakken, first appointed lord of Glass Hall." the herald announced.
"Welcome to my hall, Brother Zachary." the greeting felt strangely warm and icy at the same time; I remember hearing one of the other brothers at the church talking about nobles, and my heart started beating all the faster because of it.
"The Goddess protect you and bless your kin." I responded, offering the most formal and respectful greeting I could think of.
"Funny you should mention that, Brother Zachary..." the edge of the lord's muzzle quirked into a faint smirk, but only for a moment, "...since she has sent you to me, I believe she does."
"I will be happy to offer any services I can, my lord." I offered. It had doubtlessly been a long time since a priest or priestess visited the Wayside-- though we were bound for Zion I was also bound by my duty to see to the spiritual well-being of the faithful, "Do you wish to announce a mass, or shall I be given a place to meet with parishioners in smaller groups?"
"Neither." the lion responded.
"You had noted that it is fortunate that I am here." I noted. The lion had hopelessly confused me in a short exchange of pleasantries; my confidence was decreasing by the moment.
"The Temple of Doen has sent missives to all of the waysides between their walls and Vedalia." Lord Parayas explained, his eyes boring into me in a way that made my ears droop. I felt the blood drain out of my face with his explanation, "It seems one of their third tier priests was supposed to be inducted into the second tier... only he disappeared on an unscheduled caravan to Zion."
"I can explain--" I started, but Lord Parayas would have none of it.
"Brother Zachary, the politics of the temple are of less than no concern to me." he leaned forward on his throne as he addressed me, "What I am interested in is the safety of my family."
The comment caught me off guard, so I said the first thing that came to mind, "Oh... I don't mean any ill will toward your family, your Lordship."
"That's good, Brother Zachary... that's good." the lion nodded, sitting back in his chair, "You do realize that the temple very much wants you back, yes?"
"I'd hoped they'd just let me go." I admitted, my ears falling back down as I lost hope that the lord would actually help."
"I'm curious..." he casually noted, resting his muzzle in the palm of a paw, "In exchange for saying nothing to the temple, if you would do something for me in return?"
"Anything, your Lordship." I blurted. Lord Parayas grinned; that's obviously what he'd wanted to hear.
Negotiation is about a little give and take-- Dillan Flynn made it a point to tell me that since then, so, looking back, I can see where I went wrong. Regardless, hindsight is twenty-twenty, and the group was left to cope with the agreement we reached. If nothing else, everyone seemed pretty pleased once they started letting the caravan into the keep... but as I gathered up a selection of the travelers it became apparent that I wasn't hiding my apprehension as well as I'd hoped.
"What's wrong, Brother Zachary?" Narissa asked once my selected travelers followed me into the courtyard.
"You should be grinning like a fool, but instead you have a look of a dead man on your face." Rust added.
"Things probably could have gone better." I admitted
"We're in the Wayside... it can't be that bad." Taggart added.
"If you can't see the whole picture that's impossible to say." Dillan corrected the dog.
"Lord Paryas agreed to shelter the caravan for two days..." I noted, and took a deep breath, "But I promised that I'd take a half-dozen men to look for his son."
"His son?" questioned Jasper, "Why? Did the little tyke get lost down in the cellar?" the rat laughed hesitantly, twirling his whiskers with the tip of his tail. The movement of his tail made him wince and he paused, adjusting the back of his pants.
"No." I answered, "His son left the wayside two days ago, and last night the Lord received a ransom letter-- bandits have him to the north." It was a lot to say in one go, but I spoke quickly so I could get it all out without being interrupted, "Sorry..."
"No need to apologize." Narissa rested a paw on my shoulder, "You got the caravan safely in the keep and now you have a chance to play hero." she winked.
"So who're you bringing?" Dillan asked, glancing around at everyone, "You," he pointed at me, "Rust," he thumbed to the echidna, "the two Wild Landers," he motioned with his head toward Jasper and Zeke, "Lady Hearthsinger, I suppose...." and he paused, glancing at Taggart before looking at me, "You don't plan on bringing my help, do you? I know that makes six, but you can't expect me to get along by myself..."
"That's five, not including the priest, Flynn. I think the agreement was for Zach PLUS six." Rust noted flatly, "I don't think he plans on separating you and Taggart." The ferret opened his muzzle to say something, confused, but Rust spelled it out for him, "I think you're coming too." To be honest, I still have no idea how many curse words Mr Flynn managed to pack into that ten second rant, but I'm certain it must be a record of some kind.
* * * * * *
The trail wasn't the easiest thing to follow... I still don't know how Zeke managed to do it, but the fox practically sprinted through the underbrush as if following by scent alone. I'd heard stories about Wild Landers being master woodsmen, but, according to Jasper, Zeke was city born... which made it all the more amazing. Jasper stayed closer to the party, tracking Zeke as Zeke tracked the Lordling. The rat was careful to make sure we only took safe paths-- we were off the Highway, and nobody knew what kind of dangers that could bring.
I gripped my silver staff tightly; not only was it our Divine Shield, but, to be honest, it really helped me keep my footing. We made good time and, despite Dillan's constant complaints, even he was able to keep up with the quickened pace. We didn't come to a stop until Jasper slowed us; Zeke was lingering in the center of a section of trampled grass looking at something out of view. It was getting dark and, except for the faint twilight, there was little illumination in the Wild Lands. Jasper gave us directions to wait, and he slowly approached the fox.
The two chatted quietly, Zeke taking measured steps in odd directions; it almost looked like he was dancing. He motioned here and there, talking in a low voice to Jasper as if narrating some kind of action as he went through the steps. "There was a fight here." Narissa noted.
"That's what I was guessing judging from the fox's moves." Rust acknowledged.
"Oh." the tigress nodded, "I was just reading lips." she smirked.
"If they're bandits then they probably overpowered his guards... there are probably bodies around here somewhere." Dillan glanced around.
"Not likely." Narissa explained, "We're in the Wild Lands; chances are they've been eaten already." the ferret didn't look very comfortable at the thought. Before the conversation could continue, however, Zeke took off once more, heading north. Jasper motioned for us to follow, and we did... though Mr. Flynn did linger a little longer before joining us.
We continued through the brush for maybe twenty minutes or a half an hour... I think everyone was starting to get tired from the exertion. Finally called to a stop, the group took a few moments to rest as Jasper explained the situation, "Zeke said the bandits are close by... he went ahead to scout but wants us to wait here." There weren't any objections.
As we waited I looked to the moon, which had already crested the horizon. Thankfully, once Tah'aveen's gift took to the sky we were blessed with additional light; I let the Divine Shield cast its cool, comforting glow in the immediate area, providing everyone extra light with which to see. Apparently that idea didn't sit well with Jasper.
"Any way you can cut that out?" he asked in a casually displeased tone.
"I thought it'd help." I offered, letting the glow slowly fade.
"Yea... it'll help get us spotted... the bandits are ahead." Jasper explained, glancing over a boulder.
"They're too busy to notice us." Zeke announced, landing noiselessly on the rock behind Jasper, "A whole pack of Corpses are attacking em."
"And the Lordling?" Rust asked, standing quickly.
"Tied up in the middle of their camp." the fox answered.
"He'll get slaughtered if we don't do anything." Narissa explained.
"Or, we wait and watch and let the bandits and Corpses cut each other down... we'll get the kid before anything bad happens." Dillan suggested.
We didn't have much time, but we had to figure out what to do and fast... and, for some reason, everyone was looking to me for an answer... again.
* * * * * *
The Doenians have encountered the bandits... who are in life-or-death combat with Corpses!
Readers will need to decide on how best to proceed: 1) Engage the corpses and bandits. 2) Help the bandits with the corpses and parley for the kid's release. 3) Sneak in with the battle underway and try to free the kid (if you vote for this option but #1 or #2 comes to pass you may still elect to have your character attempt it while the rest of the party engages in combat by declaring 0 on Stance and spending 1 Willpower). 4) Wait for the two sides to kill eachother off, mop up the rest, and collect the Lordling... or his body.
Champions of Doen, since you may end up in combat based on how the votes go I will require a Stance from each of you. Stance is given on a rating of 0-5 where 5 is full offense, 4 is aggressive, 3 is neutral, 2 is conservative, and 1 is reserved, A rating of 0 indicates that the character will NOT be taking part in combat (not even in a support role). Please bear in mind that these ratings will increase your Offense the higher your Stance number and increase your Defense the lower your Stance number (or, in the case of 0, have the character try to avoid combat altogether)-- the opposite sub-trait decreases conversely (Defense goes down if the number is high; Offense goes down if the number is low).
I will also require a Utilization number for those characters that have an 11 or higher in combined Magic + Sub-Trait or Faith + Sub-Trait. Like Stance, Utilization ranges from 0-5. Utilization is a numerical equivalent of how free your contributed character is with their magic and/or prayers-- a charater with a higher Utilization is more inclined to use their abilities often and more powerfully while a character that elects a lower Utilization is less likely to depend on them (Utilization of 0 will result in the character foregoing any such abilities). Bear in mind that the higher the level of Utilization the more likely a character is to suffer from fatigue. Characters with higher Attribute + Sub-Skill totals are able less likely to be affected by fatigue unless they use a higher score of Utilization.
For an example of how to declare Stance and Utilization, please view the actions taken by the Author-Contributed characters below.
Contributing Readers, make sure you make your stance and utilization selections before midnight (pst) on Friday, July 1st.
This chapter marked Mature due t adult subject matter.