The Heights Plummet|Zephyr Heights | Talen'sul

[Deleted]

Kurai's force was not very big -no more than fifty people at best-, but they were damn good at what they did.

The attack came at three in the morning, and ended approximately an hour later; the assassinations of Zephyr Heights' leaders had ended well before then, but the terrified citizens had fought valiantly to repel the invaders.

Of course, it had not worked.

Sabine was standing on an old fountain now, surveying the prisoners of war, cowed now by so many fierce men and women. "People of Zephyr Heights, I commend your fighting spirit, but all of you are now the property of Mistress Kurai D'Anima Blades," she proclaimed. "You will give us food and drink, and perhaps even able bodies, and in return we will not abuse you-"

"You're enslaving us and you claim you won't abuse us?!" a man shouted. "You've killed twenty-two of us already!"

"It will be twenty-three if you do not silence yourself," Sabine said coolly. "Do not become the first example of our power over you."

The man drew back slightly, looking uncertain, and Sabine went on. "Our terms are simple: We only require food and drink, and occasionally clothing or weapons. Do this, and you can continue to live as you like. Defy us, or try to gain help from other places, and you will be taken care of. Note that I did not say any of you will die; there are many ways to discipline someone without killing them."

Several people began to cry.

"That will be all," the redheaded Ice stated. "Go back to bed, then begin your workdays. In time, you will even forget we are an inconvenience."

[Kender Bard]

As people began to disperse, whispering in clusters, a solitary figure tried to approach. This man, flame red haired, blood red robes, and ebony black wings, was not part of the original group. In fact, he had lingered near the edge of the town the entire time, making himself scarce whenever it looked as though he would be drawn in. He watched Kurai warily, and now hoped to gain audience with her as he approached in a slow, cautious manner; almost like some wary animal.

[Deleted]

Ryuuzaki, somewhere in his currently extremely conflicted emotions, had room for pity for the people of Zephyr Heights. They had been kind enough to him, and judging by the sounds that had jostled him from the trance-like state that was as close as the rather strange young man got to sleep, the people of that little town were in trouble.

Even a day ago Ryuu would've thanked his lucky stars he had gotten out before the attack came and gone on his merry way.

But that was no longer the case.

This strange feeling of power in his breast, and the memory of his promise to the mad-woman of the previous day pushed the normally rather wise mind sign to do something no doubt very stupid.

And so it was that Ryuuzaki came to return to Zephyr Heights. Perhaps he could give this new feeling of power a test run, and if at the same time he did a good deed for what had seemd an honestly decent bunch of people, so much the better!

Besides, Ryuu thought as he edged his way into the crowd gathered before their conqueror Maybe they'll give me a treat.

[Deleted]

Sabine stepped down from the fountain, calling after the citizens, "Go back to bed. We will help ourselves to provisions." She nodded to Raxus as he approached her. "Well done, Commander."

"Thank you, Captain." Raxus bowed his head briefly. "I've asked Tila to keep an eye on things, if we should like to get some rest."

"A good choice." Tila was a ferret-Beast, formidable in appearance and an expert at throwing knives. It would be tough to overpower her. "Once we've all had a chance to recuperate, we must assign two runners to go back to Flux and tell Mistress Kurai what we've accomplished."

"What will we do when the people become used to us?" Raxus questioned.

"Half of us will remain here, and half will return to Mistress Kurai."

"I see. Then we must discuss who to leave in charge."

[Kender Bard]

Arcan crept closer until he thought he might be overheard. Swallowing his pride (and his fear, though he'd never admit it) he raises his rough voice. "Hey!" he calls out. "Land-kin!"

[Deleted]

Sabine looked towards the man, sizing him up as she hefted her spear and Raxus grabbed his trench knives. "What do you want, knave?" Sabine asked coolly, a little fog escaping her mouth for extra chilling effect. "The citizens were ordered to return to their rest."

[Kender Bard]

Arcan snorted, stood a little taller, though he itched to flee. "I'm not a citizen," he retorted. "I am one of you. I, too, hail from the bittersweet shores of Morilanta."

[Deleted]

Sabine lowered her spear a fraction of an inch, and Raxus relaxed his grip somewhat on his trench knives. The black-winged interloper did have the right accent to be what he claimed....

"What do you want?" the woman asked, just as the snake-type inquired "What do you need?"

[Kender Bard]

Arcan's wings flexed and twitched as he spoke, giving away his nervousness. "I've come to see my countrymen." Nevermind that I'm an Outcast. "And to ask two things. What the state of things are in New Morilanta and if you have sing a black winged man like myself, but taller, and leaner. His name is Tevran. Or, barring that, a black winged woman that looks more like me, named Andromeda." He hesitated, and added, "Or a simple brown haired man named Thakur."

[Deleted]

"New Morilanta?" Sabine and Raxus looked at each other in shock. Well, of course it had been stupid to think the Morilantans of Kurai's force were the only survivors, but since no others had approached them, it had been easy to think.

Sabine lowered her spear, and Raxus sheathed his knives. "Mistress is going to love hearing about this," he whispered.

"Tell me about it." The Ice motioned Arcan closer. "We have not seen nor heard of the people you wish to see, but if you will speak to us of New Morilanta, we will treat you well for the remainder of your stay."

[Kender Bard]

Arcan wondered if he should lie. He'd only heard of the place, never having been there, not having to really even want to go there. Well he could do some ambiguous guessing. "It is not as glorious as the old kingdom of course," he stated. "But it is still reminiscent of the old land. It lies to the..." He searched his memory. "East." He came a little closer, almost reflexively hunching down, like he expected a blow.

[Deleted]

"Let's discuss the details in camp," Sabine stated, and turned, spying Ryuuzaki. "You! Why have you not returned to your slumber?" she sharply demanded, pointing her spear at him.

[Kender Bard]

Arcan looks over and his eyes widen a little. He dared not call out but the look he gave Ryuuzaki was clear - run. Run far, run fast.

[Deleted]

"I wanted to make a proposal of my own." Ryuuzaki says calmly, stepping forward. "As my interests lie in preventing the people of this town from making any rash decisions that would lead to unfortunate deaths, I would like to offer my services to yourself and your men while you remain in town. I am a mind sign, so I may be of some use to you."

[Deleted]

Sabine and Raxus gave each other Looks. It was always likely that each town the conquered would have turncoats, but so soon? "The deaths of the villagers, or our deaths?" Sabine returned, breath fogging again.