measured_words (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
measured_words) wrote2007-02-12 12:44 am
measured_words) wrote2007-02-12 12:44 am
Shadows 8.2
This came fast - I don't knwo why exactly, but it was just easy to write!
~Hadyn. I need you to meet me outside the city. Tomorrow at noon, near the Sink Gate.~
Volaris’s voice was an unexpected intrusion. He’d been reading an account by a Kethan adventurer into the Infernal plane. Many scholars doubted its authenticity, expecting that anyone traveling there very long would be driven mad, but it was an interesting comparison for Hadyn. If he didn’t consider it a threat to his survival, he might have authored an account of his own travels by now.
~I will be there.~
Abe was gone again on her own mysterious business, and he could spare the time. Considering briefly what the other wizard might want, he returned to his book.
Hadyn teleported out to the sink the next day. He had papers that allowed him to pass freely, and hoped to avoid trouble when he reentered Shiroeki. He’d been in and out on a number of errands now, and was getting a better feel for the process. He left Teah behind this time. She’d been out hunting for the past two days anyway. He missed her presence, though she was never truly out of touch. She was restless at the compound with nothing to do.
The teleport sink acted like a magical magnet. Anyone attempting to teleport within a day’s travel of the city was drawn to the sink, which was armed with a full legion. Access to the Imperial capital was tightly regulated and even using the sink, which sat beside the main road into town, required either a special passport , a silver tongue, or a heavy bribe. Hadyn wondered which the Court Wizard would employ. This particular sink was designed to redirect individuals into small cells. Larger groups found themselves inside a high-walled arena overlooked by archers and wizards.
Once released from the cells, travelers were led trough a section of offices until they stood in the courtyard under the large arch leading out to the road – a symbolic gate. People traveling on to Shiroeki at this point could have their passports cleared in advance at the offices to facilitate their admittance. After processing, Hadyn tried to make himself unobtrusive near the base of the arch while waiting for Volaris. A short while later, a tall magenta-robed figure emerged into the yard, glanced around, and headed his way.
“Hadyn! Excellent to see you – lets head somewhere we can talk more comfortably.” He seized the younger man’s hand and shook.
“Volaris.” Hadyn escaped his grip and followed out of the courtyard. Volaris headed off to the side of the road and cast a spell, summoning a Tiny Hut.
“There we are – privacy.” He opened the door and ushered his companion inside. “Tea?” The hut came fully equipped and with a cheery fire already burning. Volaris headed directly to the cupboards and produced a pot and a pitcher of water, hardly pausing to catch Hadyn’s acquiescing nod. “How’s your research going?”
“It’s fine. I brought you some notes. I doubt any of it will be useful at this point.” He handed over a scroll case containing some loose sheaves which Volaris tucked into a pouch in his belt.
“I’m sure you’ll turn up something good – Abe’s resources must be truly impressive.” Volaris’s eyes shone with unabashed curiousity.
“Her library, at least, is quite exhaustive.”
“Good, good…. Is she giving you much direction in your studies?”
“Some.” In fact, he rarely saw her more than once a week, and had developed a suspicion that the material she kept at her estate was only a fragment of her collection. She spent much of her time elsewhere – Teah had followed her for a day out of boredom, but had lost her at the same gate where they were now meeting. He certainly didn’t mind being left on his own with the library and lab at his disposal.
Volaris nodded. “Have you heard anything from the other sages?”
“They are still investigating the materials I brought them, but are planning to make an expedition as soon as they completed arrangements with the Dwarven authorities.” The thinking machine he’d officially traded his apprenticeship for was in the Dwarven tunnels that passed from Bellaboca and the Northern Kingdoms and the Southern Empire, or Chuushin-ippin no Teikoku. He wasn’t sure if they would expect him to go or not. He was curious what all they would learn, but he had other priorities. His companion sighed as he poured the tea.
“They might never share what they learn you know. In better times… Well I guess it doesn’t matter. We have enough to worry about.”
Hadyn nodded. In better times, he might have shared his information with the Court Wizard instead of the mysterious Quiet Sages, and Volaris might have been the one leading a party of academics in quest of ancient lore. Instead, the black haired mage spent all his time helping the prince and chancellor manage the Loyalist camp. It wasn’t an especially likely scenario – Hadyn remained wary of other wizards – but the point was that Volaris’s talents were currently being wasted. “What have you been working on?”
“I’ve been playing diplomat with Tavik in Nampung.” Case in point, Hadyn thought. “There are a number of interests there who are sympathetic to Exia. I’m mostly there for show – Chancellor Tavik could handle these sorts of things in his sleep, but it looks better if he’s not the only official.”
“So you were in the area, then.” Nampung was an island off the western coast, and was fairly independent from the Empire. It was small, but had a fair amount of Economic clout and acted as an emporium for exporting Southern goods throughout the rest of Keth. Sterling’s company did a fair amount of trading there, and may well have provided the contacts necessary for this mission.
“I was, I suppose, though this isn’t a social call, I’m afraid.”
Hadyn nodded. it would have been a bit annoying to have to come out all this way just to say hello. “What is it?”
“I’m sure heard that one of out people went missing after the attacks in Shinkyo – An elf named Matteo Atremi. He was captured by the Cult. I’m sure you can imagine the unpleasantness that came from that, though they didn’t actually kill him.”
“What did they take him for?” Hadyn had heard about the missing Elf, and wondered at the time at the resources they’d invested into searching for a lone man. From what he’d picked up since, someone in Shinkyo had managed to track down the cult’s headquarters, but they’d cleared out and left no trace. Volaris had already queried him about how he might be hidden from magical detection, but he hadn’t had any new theories to add.
“We’re not sure. Information maybe. Or maybe they’re just a bunch of sick evil bastards. I’ve been in contact with him recently, using Sending. He’s managed to get away from them, but he’s in pretty bad shape.”
“Go on.” Hadyn wondered what this had to do with him.
“I’d like to just send someone to pick him up, but there are some problems with that. We still can’t detect him with scrying, and he can’t tell us why that is either. He is somewhere in the South – that much we know – but he’s traveling with aother group and isn’t sure where he is. The cult cut out his tongue, so he can’t just ask.” Volaris frowned, unhappy with the situation. “He’s also quite sick, and isn’t always entirely coherent when I try to contact hi. I understand that they are moving west towards Shiroeki, but I’m not sure he’ll survive the trip.” He paused, setting down his tea. ‘have you ever heard of a drug called ‘Agony’?”
“I have.”
“I know a little about it – enough to say that it is bad news. It’s highly addictive and magical in nature. The cult used it on him while he was in their power, and he hasn’t recovered.”
“Agony is a compound made from the essence of pain, harvested magically from torture subjects. It is, as you said, very addictive – I’ve heard of demons using it Someone who was already in a weakened state would have little chance of resisting. It produces, initially, feelings of intense euphoria. If an addict doesn’t get daily doses, their body begins to shut down and they can die quite quickly. From what I understand, after exposure to the intense pleasure the drug induces, the subject’s senses just can’t handle reality.” Volaris’s frown continued to deepen. “Are you sure it was agony? Its an odd choice for a torture drug.”
“That’s what Matteo said. I gather that the person who did it is uncommonly disturbed.”
“How long has it been?”
“Almost a week, I think. It is hard to have a complex conversation using only sending.”
“If he was going to die, he’d be dead.”
“I think one of the people he is traveling with is a cleric of some sort.”
“Remove Disease should take care of the problem. Otherwise, anything that can give him strength when he is at his weakest.”
“I’ve told him that already. I don’t think this woman is powerful enough to cure him, though.”
Hadyn scowled. He hated it when people asked for his advice and just told him they’d already thought of whatever he’d said. Why ask? He wasn’t such an accomplished healer compared to others Volaris could consult. “Well, she can probably keep hi alive, at least.”
“Alright. I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t likely to get any worse. I was concerned that the cult might try to use the addiction against him somehow, but he’s in no condition to contact them that I can see, and I haven’t told him anything about our activities just in case. When he gets to Shiroeki, though, I want him brought to us as quickly as possible.”
Hadyn blinked. “Right. Just have him come and knock on Abe’s door – I’m sure they’ll let him right in.”
“There’s no need to be sarcastic, Hadyn. He’s very resourceful. If nothing else, I can contact you once he’s in the city.”
He sighed. “Have him leave a message at Suoh-Hu with Ling and Wei Yeoh, if he can. It’s in the port trading district outside the walls.”
“I will.” He stood. “It’s been good to see you, Hadyn. You’re looking well.”
“It’s been good to get away. Good to see you, Volaris.”
~Hadyn. I need you to meet me outside the city. Tomorrow at noon, near the Sink Gate.~
Volaris’s voice was an unexpected intrusion. He’d been reading an account by a Kethan adventurer into the Infernal plane. Many scholars doubted its authenticity, expecting that anyone traveling there very long would be driven mad, but it was an interesting comparison for Hadyn. If he didn’t consider it a threat to his survival, he might have authored an account of his own travels by now.
~I will be there.~
Abe was gone again on her own mysterious business, and he could spare the time. Considering briefly what the other wizard might want, he returned to his book.
Hadyn teleported out to the sink the next day. He had papers that allowed him to pass freely, and hoped to avoid trouble when he reentered Shiroeki. He’d been in and out on a number of errands now, and was getting a better feel for the process. He left Teah behind this time. She’d been out hunting for the past two days anyway. He missed her presence, though she was never truly out of touch. She was restless at the compound with nothing to do.
The teleport sink acted like a magical magnet. Anyone attempting to teleport within a day’s travel of the city was drawn to the sink, which was armed with a full legion. Access to the Imperial capital was tightly regulated and even using the sink, which sat beside the main road into town, required either a special passport , a silver tongue, or a heavy bribe. Hadyn wondered which the Court Wizard would employ. This particular sink was designed to redirect individuals into small cells. Larger groups found themselves inside a high-walled arena overlooked by archers and wizards.
Once released from the cells, travelers were led trough a section of offices until they stood in the courtyard under the large arch leading out to the road – a symbolic gate. People traveling on to Shiroeki at this point could have their passports cleared in advance at the offices to facilitate their admittance. After processing, Hadyn tried to make himself unobtrusive near the base of the arch while waiting for Volaris. A short while later, a tall magenta-robed figure emerged into the yard, glanced around, and headed his way.
“Hadyn! Excellent to see you – lets head somewhere we can talk more comfortably.” He seized the younger man’s hand and shook.
“Volaris.” Hadyn escaped his grip and followed out of the courtyard. Volaris headed off to the side of the road and cast a spell, summoning a Tiny Hut.
“There we are – privacy.” He opened the door and ushered his companion inside. “Tea?” The hut came fully equipped and with a cheery fire already burning. Volaris headed directly to the cupboards and produced a pot and a pitcher of water, hardly pausing to catch Hadyn’s acquiescing nod. “How’s your research going?”
“It’s fine. I brought you some notes. I doubt any of it will be useful at this point.” He handed over a scroll case containing some loose sheaves which Volaris tucked into a pouch in his belt.
“I’m sure you’ll turn up something good – Abe’s resources must be truly impressive.” Volaris’s eyes shone with unabashed curiousity.
“Her library, at least, is quite exhaustive.”
“Good, good…. Is she giving you much direction in your studies?”
“Some.” In fact, he rarely saw her more than once a week, and had developed a suspicion that the material she kept at her estate was only a fragment of her collection. She spent much of her time elsewhere – Teah had followed her for a day out of boredom, but had lost her at the same gate where they were now meeting. He certainly didn’t mind being left on his own with the library and lab at his disposal.
Volaris nodded. “Have you heard anything from the other sages?”
“They are still investigating the materials I brought them, but are planning to make an expedition as soon as they completed arrangements with the Dwarven authorities.” The thinking machine he’d officially traded his apprenticeship for was in the Dwarven tunnels that passed from Bellaboca and the Northern Kingdoms and the Southern Empire, or Chuushin-ippin no Teikoku. He wasn’t sure if they would expect him to go or not. He was curious what all they would learn, but he had other priorities. His companion sighed as he poured the tea.
“They might never share what they learn you know. In better times… Well I guess it doesn’t matter. We have enough to worry about.”
Hadyn nodded. In better times, he might have shared his information with the Court Wizard instead of the mysterious Quiet Sages, and Volaris might have been the one leading a party of academics in quest of ancient lore. Instead, the black haired mage spent all his time helping the prince and chancellor manage the Loyalist camp. It wasn’t an especially likely scenario – Hadyn remained wary of other wizards – but the point was that Volaris’s talents were currently being wasted. “What have you been working on?”
“I’ve been playing diplomat with Tavik in Nampung.” Case in point, Hadyn thought. “There are a number of interests there who are sympathetic to Exia. I’m mostly there for show – Chancellor Tavik could handle these sorts of things in his sleep, but it looks better if he’s not the only official.”
“So you were in the area, then.” Nampung was an island off the western coast, and was fairly independent from the Empire. It was small, but had a fair amount of Economic clout and acted as an emporium for exporting Southern goods throughout the rest of Keth. Sterling’s company did a fair amount of trading there, and may well have provided the contacts necessary for this mission.
“I was, I suppose, though this isn’t a social call, I’m afraid.”
Hadyn nodded. it would have been a bit annoying to have to come out all this way just to say hello. “What is it?”
“I’m sure heard that one of out people went missing after the attacks in Shinkyo – An elf named Matteo Atremi. He was captured by the Cult. I’m sure you can imagine the unpleasantness that came from that, though they didn’t actually kill him.”
“What did they take him for?” Hadyn had heard about the missing Elf, and wondered at the time at the resources they’d invested into searching for a lone man. From what he’d picked up since, someone in Shinkyo had managed to track down the cult’s headquarters, but they’d cleared out and left no trace. Volaris had already queried him about how he might be hidden from magical detection, but he hadn’t had any new theories to add.
“We’re not sure. Information maybe. Or maybe they’re just a bunch of sick evil bastards. I’ve been in contact with him recently, using Sending. He’s managed to get away from them, but he’s in pretty bad shape.”
“Go on.” Hadyn wondered what this had to do with him.
“I’d like to just send someone to pick him up, but there are some problems with that. We still can’t detect him with scrying, and he can’t tell us why that is either. He is somewhere in the South – that much we know – but he’s traveling with aother group and isn’t sure where he is. The cult cut out his tongue, so he can’t just ask.” Volaris frowned, unhappy with the situation. “He’s also quite sick, and isn’t always entirely coherent when I try to contact hi. I understand that they are moving west towards Shiroeki, but I’m not sure he’ll survive the trip.” He paused, setting down his tea. ‘have you ever heard of a drug called ‘Agony’?”
“I have.”
“I know a little about it – enough to say that it is bad news. It’s highly addictive and magical in nature. The cult used it on him while he was in their power, and he hasn’t recovered.”
“Agony is a compound made from the essence of pain, harvested magically from torture subjects. It is, as you said, very addictive – I’ve heard of demons using it Someone who was already in a weakened state would have little chance of resisting. It produces, initially, feelings of intense euphoria. If an addict doesn’t get daily doses, their body begins to shut down and they can die quite quickly. From what I understand, after exposure to the intense pleasure the drug induces, the subject’s senses just can’t handle reality.” Volaris’s frown continued to deepen. “Are you sure it was agony? Its an odd choice for a torture drug.”
“That’s what Matteo said. I gather that the person who did it is uncommonly disturbed.”
“How long has it been?”
“Almost a week, I think. It is hard to have a complex conversation using only sending.”
“If he was going to die, he’d be dead.”
“I think one of the people he is traveling with is a cleric of some sort.”
“Remove Disease should take care of the problem. Otherwise, anything that can give him strength when he is at his weakest.”
“I’ve told him that already. I don’t think this woman is powerful enough to cure him, though.”
Hadyn scowled. He hated it when people asked for his advice and just told him they’d already thought of whatever he’d said. Why ask? He wasn’t such an accomplished healer compared to others Volaris could consult. “Well, she can probably keep hi alive, at least.”
“Alright. I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t likely to get any worse. I was concerned that the cult might try to use the addiction against him somehow, but he’s in no condition to contact them that I can see, and I haven’t told him anything about our activities just in case. When he gets to Shiroeki, though, I want him brought to us as quickly as possible.”
Hadyn blinked. “Right. Just have him come and knock on Abe’s door – I’m sure they’ll let him right in.”
“There’s no need to be sarcastic, Hadyn. He’s very resourceful. If nothing else, I can contact you once he’s in the city.”
He sighed. “Have him leave a message at Suoh-Hu with Ling and Wei Yeoh, if he can. It’s in the port trading district outside the walls.”
“I will.” He stood. “It’s been good to see you, Hadyn. You’re looking well.”
“It’s been good to get away. Good to see you, Volaris.”