[Exalted] Protectors of the River Province

[LadyTevar]

Teamhair paused a moment before entering the caravan. "Ake!" she called back, waving him over to join them, then allowing the young man to lead her inside.

Teamhair's auburn hair was lifted up and back from her face by jade combs decorated with knotted vines, leaving the long length to tumble down the back of her head and to her mid-back. Her garments suggested at her profession -- a qwazee fit tight to her body of brown satin jacard, patterned with green leaves and muted flowers in gold, orange, and crimson. A dusky gold blouse of fine linen showed below the 3/4 sleeves of the qwarzee and at the low-cut heart-shaped neckline emphasing Teamhair's assets. Loose pantaloons of striped brown and cream linen-cotton showed below the knees and flashed within the qwarzee's side slits, billowing over fine low-top boots of suede leather, also beaded in a vine motif along the top and sides.

Teamhair's jewelry was simpler that Liayna's -- A belt of beaten gold flowers shown over the silken sashes belted around her hip, small gilded bells ringing slightly with the dancer's every step. A gold necklace was at her throat, set with a golden tiger-stone pendant that hung suggestively at the curve of her breasts. A matching bracelet graced her slender wrist, linked by a delicate chain to a golden ring upon the middle finger of her hand. The other hand also had a bracelet, this a web of small gilded flowers linked around her wrist, across the back of her hand, and ending in another gold ring decorated with a larger flower with jade-chips as the petals.

Liayna couldn't help but recognize a skilled courtesian; the simple, elegant garments quiet advertisement that Teamhair made very good money from her patrons. The fact she had a Lookshy warrior carting her purchases would only enhance the image that Teamhair had a high-placed patron within the City.

[rhoenix]

Rushing in a frightened hurry, a disheveled-looking man ran as if Death itself were after him, taking horrified glances behind him ever so often, his eyes wide, his heart racing. He almost ran into Teamhair, but managed to only barely brush her as he burst past her, his mind not immediately processing her beauty.

A moment later, he took a second glance, having seen both the caravan shopkeeper as well as Teamhair, he missed seeing a raised cobblestone as he ran, his eyes widening even more if that were possible as things seemed to move in slow motion. He had just realized that he was beginning to fall, and there was no way he could recover without dropping the bag he was holding onto for dear life.

Suddenly appearing and tackling the man at high speed, Kolth shoved the man bodily into a loose pile of hay near the stables. Without even a pause, the man was yanked up by his collar and slammed against the wall of the stable, with Kolth giving the man a look that spoke volumes about irritated and somewhat sad Kolth felt about this whole situation, as if the man were Kolth's mentally-challenged younger brother up to more shenanigans with runny cheese and the family pet.

"Seriously? You think you're slick by trying to grab my bag the day I come back and honestly thought you'd get away? Mort, honestly, were you dropped on your head too many times? Is that liquor you're always gulping down like it was water starting to pickle your brain? Honestly Mort, what the fuck is wrong with you?"

"...We...Well, I got fired because...," the man, evidently named Mort, began, though he was interrupted by Kolth smoothly.

"...because you're always drunk, right. Do you see a possible pattern here of doing stupid shit when you're drunk? Come on, Mort - your father would be pretty pissed off, and if he asks me why your lazy punk ass ain't working, I'm going to tell him it's because you're a lazy punk ass who can't control his drinking. Thanks," he said, as he forcibly yanked the bag out from Mort's arms.

"Now," said Kolth, looking a bit more relaxed, "get out of here before I beat your ass in public. Again."

As the man walked away, looking like a kid who lost his dog, Kolth yelled after him after waiting a few seconds. "You'd better tell your father the truth, or I'll do it for you tonight, and I guarantee your dad will kick your ass if I'm the one who tells him!"

Sighing, Kolth walked toward the others, raising an eyebrow as he saw everyone but Yvela all gathered in this place. "Hey, didn't know I'd have an audience. If I'd have known, I'd have set him on fire."

[The Nomad]

As Ake, Teamhair, Orduin, and Liayna were all gathered in the same room, they felt dizzy, as if their heads were floating inside a warm liquid. A white light overwhelmed their senses...
Nearby, Kolth also felt carried away, as he was admnonishing his colleague...

A dome of golden light, keeping the raging, everchanging storm of emerald dust memories and gales of maddening whispers away.
At the center, a gigantic man in golden armor, holding out a pulsating yellow orb.
Another man in long, seemingly living silken robes, striding towards the hedge of the dome...
Standing vigil, an athletic and lean man in lighter, golden armor, his fingers twitching as if holding the shaft of an invisible spear...
An equal number of silver-clad anthropomorphic creatures, one part eagle, another part tiger, and the last, the most "real-looking", part fox.
"Hear me out, Princes of Madness, lest we lose patiences and hostilities resume!"
"It's been long since my last challenge... Barely a third of a leage long..."
"We'll carve them into reality the hard way if it comes to that..."
Then, suddenly, a short woman, out of nowhere.
"Must have been impressed by the way we struck at the heart of their Freehold..."

The vision ended abruptly, barely a heart-beat for the outside world, but enough to cut whatever action they had been taking.

[LadyTevar]

Teamhair stopped dead as the vision hit, her eyes going distant and unseeing. When the vision broke, her head jerked around, trying to see if Orduin, Ake, and Kolth had shared the vision, and then she faced the fancily dressed woman who had just walked forward.

"It was you........"

[rhoenix]

Shaking his head vigorously as his head cleared, Kolth looked annoyed. And he was - he preferred to have his dreams, no matter how lifelike or prophetic, at home while he was in bed. However, he was now looking a little more closely at the fancily-dressed lady, likely the proprietor of the caravan.

[Academia Nut]

Ake noted the finer of Teamhair and the merchant and wondered if perhaps he was underdressed for the occasion before dismissing the thought. True, he was wearing just a simple sleeveless cotton tunic, loose linen pants secured by a simple leather belt, and his bright red forest cloak, but he had always found that excess finery took away from the important things. His clothing was simple, but it showed off the powerful muscles beneath his wood brown skin. His black hair was tied up in a topknot, out of his face and his eyes. Leaf green, they sparkled with the inner fire that told of a man who desired to lead men to do great things.

Then the vision... memories... whatever they were... struck and Ake had to blink a few times to centre himself. He also felt a slight lopsided grin as he remembered obliterating a Fair Folk stronghold. That had been fun! Especially since the bastards hadn't expected the sudden flanking manuever, their flanking maneuver too, to have caused such a disaster for their forces.

Ake glanced at Liayna and said, "You let them get off easy."

[Hotfoot]

Liayna felt her legs give for just a moment as the vision returned her to reality, but her nearly inhuman grace allowed her to continue her walk with just an added twist to her hips, her eyes going from Teamhair to Ake in one smooth motion. Teamhair had been beautiful, but Ake, well...

Still confused about the vision and what it meant, she had never had one quite like that before, but she recognized the man in the living silk well enough. She slinked over to Ake and gave him a knowing look. "Well if that's the case, I'll make sure I won't make the same mistake for you." A quick glance up and down to appreciate the man's muscular frame under his plain clothing. "You know, I think I should take you back to my wagon, the lot of you," She glanced back to Teamhair and Orduin. "I've got some special items I think you'd be very interested in."

She looked over at the greeter and gave him a knowing look. "Jiang, dear, please let the others know I'm helping some special customers. I should be back out shortly."

Jiang nodded with a slight smile, "Of course, Madam Naguno."

With that, Liayna turned back around, winking at Ake and beckoning the others with a simple come hither finger as she made her way back to the most ornately decorated wagon in the caravan.

[LadyTevar]

"Kolth, find Ysela quickly and fetch him here, please?" If you want something done fast and NOW, Kolth was the one to do it, and Orduin knew that well. "And take these back to my barracks while you're at it?" he added, handing over Teamhair's purchases to the Eclipse. The bags were a little heavier than they looked. "If something's missing, you get to explain it to her."

Teamhair was sizing up 'Madam Naguno' as she slunk over to drape herself over Ake. The Lunar was getting a good idea what Caste this woman might be, just from her actions. "Of course, we would love to see these items," Teamhair answered for the lot of them, playing the role perfectly. "Perhaps we may discuss matters while our companion brings our ship's captain? I am sure you may have several items he'd be interested in as well."

[rhoenix]

Blinking at how suddenly he'd been played, he chuckled while grabbing the bags. "Alright, but you owe me for the bags."

With that, he winked at Teamhair (and Orduin), and promptly disappeared on the spot.

[Hotfoot]

Liayna smiled back at Teamhair, "But of course, my dear. I look forward to meeting anyone else of your little crew, especially if your captain is half as captivating as the rest of you." She winked again and slowly climbed the steps into her wagon, opening the door and disappearing inside, her flowing kimono following mere moments after the rest of her.

Inside, she would wait to offer the others seats inside her wagon. The wagon itself was decked with fine clothes, jewelry, and a small selection of fine alcohols.

[Marcao]

The trip back to their patron’s city was uneventful and he was glad for the respite. A part of him was still irritated at the fact that the Death Knight had gotten away but it had been beyond their control. He had a feeling they would meet again in the future, maybe then they would be better prepared to deal with the threat. After a week at sea, it felt as if everyone was giving the Storm Herald a wide berth. The currents and the winds were also auspicious and he settled on a simple routine. During the day, when the Eye of the Unconquered Sun fell on the ship he allowed the Helots control of the ship as he busied himself elsewhere. When night fell, and the possibility of attack increased he took control of the ship. He used his gifts wisely, seeking to take the most advantage of the currents and winds when possible. In the end, the days and nights blended together as one coherent series of memories and experiences.

Upon their arrival to Lookshy he guided the ship into port himself, it was not so much a matter of not trusting the helots as much as realizing that he may not have another opportunity to sail the Storm Herald again in some time if at all. The Storm Herald docked and the group of officials that greeted them was difficult to miss. He answered their questions as best he could and offered his thoughts on what had transpired when appropriate. He was both pleased and apprehensive about his contract as an auxiliary being extended although he did not show any of it on the surface. The possibility of improving his financial situation pleased him. He was not at all unaware of the advantages that being based in Lookshy offered him. However, he was as of yet uncertain if the path he had chosen for himself was best served by strengthening his ties to the city state. For the moment, the advantages of his association with Lookshy outweighed his reservations. How long that would last only the Unconquered Sun knew.

After the meeting, he found himself making his way back towards the lower city. He avoided markets wherever possible as he did not have the finances to indulge merchants and the trinkets they offered. A shape slid above, casting a shadow over him and he glanced upwards. The Manta-class transport gracefully slid through the air towards parts unknown. He watched the flying machine closely, his heart beating in his chest at an increased rate. He loved the Sea. But ever since he had come to Lookshy and seen those flying devices something had changed within him. He pushed the thought aside and continued on his path. He was not disturbed, many of the gathered soldiers had seen him before talking to people that they recognized.

He did not make his way back towards the Storm Herald. Instead, he found a spot that was out of the way and sat down as his eyes focused on the water and the nearby ships as they arrived and left the docks. It was hard to believe that a place like this existed. It was something that he never could have comprehended back when he had lived in Coral. He took a deep breath, letting the salt in the air linger in his lungs before he released his breath.

That was a long time ago.

He did not even know if his parents or his siblings were still alive. His eyes closed and he visualized in his mind his father, his mother, his sisters and his brother. He could still picture them clearly.

It was not safe for them to be around me...or was it not safe for me to be around them?

He had no answer to that question. Betrayal had come, and it had forced his hand. He could afford no regrets on the path that he now walked. It was a just cause. In his mind, he understood better than many what he had to become. He was not there yet, but eventually he would be. And once he had what he needed. Once he had shaped himself into the perfect vehicle for the Unconquered Sun…

The thought ceased and fled, but somehow he found himself smiling as blue eyes concentrated on the soothing motion of the waves as they moved back and forth against the docks.

[Academia Nut]

Ake took a deep breath, struggling with the control he had been cultivating in the weeks aboard the boat with the intoxicating at times presence of Teamhair. So instead of immediately attempting to follow behind the enchanting merchant like some sort of puppy, he instead nodded to Teamhair and said, "Yes, I do believe we have much to discuss once we are all assembled. No?"

He then directed a smile with all the brilliance of the Unconquered Sun at the mysterious woman with some connection to their past. He had no real talent for honeyed words or worming out what others wanted. No, his methods of persuasion were more akin to a battering ram than a scalpel. Overwhelm others with his presence and convince them that his goals were their goals, not the other way around. It was a limited strategy, but it was all he had. He could only hope his charm continued to make an impression and made sure that he wouldn't be the only one being persuaded today.

[rhoenix]

Having watched Yvela now for about two to three minutes, Kolth decided to announce his presence by walking up beside him and lighting a blunt. "Lot on your mind? I hate to add more, but I think we may have found another," he said, raising his eyebrows slightly.

[Marcao]

His attention had been focused almost exclusively on the waves but having someone sneak behind you and plant a dagger on your back was not exactly a thought that was too far from his thoughts. Kolth did not seem to have his heart on sneaking up next to him, for if that had been his intention he doubted he would have heard him at all. His body tensed when he first heard the footsteps but there was a familiar cadence about them that made him feel at ease. His right hand never clawed for his scabbard and the orichalcum weapon that lay within. When the blunt was lit up, he glanced over his shoulder and upwards at the Chosen.

“That is always the case when I find myself near the Sea.â€

[LadyTevar]

Orduin gave Teamhair a hand up the steps before entering himself, ducking as he entered. Upon his hands the Aegis-Insets of a Gunzosha warrior shone gold, a darker shade than his sandy-blond hair. Hazel-colored eyes took in the inside of the wagon as he moved his well-muscled body over to a seat beside Teamhair.

The unconscious closeness between Orduin and Teamhair as they entered the wagon spoke volumes. If they were not actual Mates, they were at least lovers.

The courtesian sat gracefully, her entire body poised to be at once fully at ease and 'innocently' sexual. IT was an artful skill, to seem unconscious of how the body was displayed while making sure the right amount (or lack) of skin was viewable. Like Orduin, her golden eyes were taking in the interior of the wagon, but where Orduin was judging safety, Teamhair was judging wealth, status, and reading the subtle hints of Madam Naguno's life as displayed by her belongings.

[Hotfoot]

Liayna carefully eyed Teamhair and Orduin as they entered, smiling sweetly to them as they sat down. The contacts on Orduins skin caused her heart to quicken, wondering what sort of problems might arise from this chance meeting. Still, the armored man seemed to be with the lovely courtesan, and she did not appear to have ill intent, though she could see that she was being judged. Similarly to how Liayna had been sizing up the courtesan just moments earlier. The pose Teamhair took was not unknown to Liayna, but she paid it little mind, allowing it to be meant more for Orduin than her.

Once Ake was inside, she shut the door softly. "While we wait for the others of your crew, perhaps you could help sate my curiousity. You seem to act very familiar towards me, but I'm afraid I don't understand who you all are. Before we talk business, perhaps we should introduce ourselves? I'm Liayna Naguno, Mistress of this Caravan, and you all are?"

[rhoenix]

Kolth chuckled as he and Yvela walked back to the caravan. "Yeah, she's an interesting one, alright," he said, shaking his head. He was thinking about how this seemed rather perfect, with a real Circle forming here. "It is a rather interesting coincidence though isn't it, one of each...time of day just happening to gather in Lookshy right now."

The tone was innocent and casual, but all who knew Kolth also knew that he didn't believe in coincidence. At all.

"Should be interesting," he said, continuing to be casual and almost blase about the whole thing. "She and Teamhair were just beginning a 'no I'm hotter than you' contest when I left, so watch your nuts."

[Marcao]

He blinked when Kolth clarified the gender of their newest guest. "She?" He said as he walked in step with the Night caste. Of all the chosen he felt the most comfortable around him. "This gets better and better." He muttered as they moved, his words met with a frown.

"There are no coincidences." The innocence in his tone spoke volumes about his true thoughts. His head turning as he glanced at Kolth after he continued. "There are cultures that believe that interesting times can be more of a curse than a blessing." He added.

He was startled into laughter with his final words, blue eyes widening for a moment. "What makes you think they would be interested in me?" He asked. The Lunar was off the market, she had taken one look at Orduin and decided that she liked what she saw.

"I would worry more about you, women tend to like mystery and you ooze it from every pore." Kolth's penchant for disappearing may very well intrigue the woman.

"Still, I thank you for your concern." He admitted. He did not need any...distractions.

[rhoenix]

"Hey, no problem," Kolth replied, chuckling. "And besides, there's no real mystery about me. I like to beat up bullies, smoke blunts, and mess with people who take themselves or life too seriously. I'm not a complicated guy."

The smile on his face belied his tone, though. Kolth felt like Yvela must've been one of his long-time friends in another incarnation, since they got along as well as they did.

"But yeah," he continued in a more serious tone. "This whole thing seems way too contrived. I can't help but feel like all of us are being manipulated into this, depsite all of us obviously getting along as well as we are. Whether with benign intent or otherwise, I don't like being manipulated - and if I am, I'd at least like to know why, and to what end."

[Marcao]

"We are talking about women Kolth, the more transparent you seem the more certain they will be that there is more to be seen and before you know it, they are looking for what does not exist." He said a bit more flatly than he wished. His background with women had been strained before he had exalted and had been even more difficult since. A casual dalliance or fling over the last few handful of years but little else. He had been too concerned with the hunt among other things.

The smile in his face was sincere and enough to push aside those darker thoughts that had crawled their way to the surface of his mind. Kolth's tone shifted and he focused on what he was about to say, instantly aware that they would be important words not easily discarded. The insight of a Night caste could not be discounted.

"If we are being manipulated it is by a very powerful hand." He replied as he considered. "I can understand your desire to know more Kolth. I think it is within each and everyone of us the desire to know more, to seek understanding. But sometimes, understanding is out of reach."

Who had I been before? How did I die?

He went silent for a moment. "For the moment, I am grateful for having met you...and the others." He paused. "Still, I am curious about what is at play. Is it the Unconquered Sun himself?" If not, whose hand was at play?

He shook his head and sighed. "Come, show me this woman Kolth. If she is at beautiful as you say, I expect that she will sink her fangs into you soon enough." A part of him wanted to make a wager, but he could not afford to lose. Under those circumstances, the only recourse was not to play.

[LadyTevar]

"I am Teamhair Tahalshia, courtesian and dancer," she answered gracefully. By not mentioning a patron nor a house, she showed she was tied to neither. "It is a pleasure to meet you, this time around."

"Orduin Belkinor, Gochei, retired 7th Legion." For someone retired from that rank of Gunzosha, Orduin was surprisingly healthy. The Aegis-Insets drained Essence, and after a few years many Gunzosha were aged beyond their years by the loss. To not be aged meant a wealth of Essence -- but Dragonblooded never enlisted as Gunzosha. That was for the lesser classes.

[Academia Nut]

"I am Ake. I am... I suppose you could call me a prospective independent military contractor for Lookshy, although that is just what the bureaucrats were trying to label me as. I have however been making friends with these fine people and I intend to make many, many more friends here in Lookshy. In particular, I seek those with skills such as you appear to have, skilled at trade and the movement of goods." Ake said cordially.

He then smirked slightly and leaned back a touch before he said, "However, if we seem overly familiar with you, perhaps that is because we remember you from somewhere a long time ago. Memory can be funny like that, can't it?"

[Hotfoot]

"Hm, a Courtesan, an ex-soldier, and a military contractor, with a ship and a captain, you say? Interesting. However, I'm sure that if I'd met any of you before now, I'd remember you..." Her voice trailed off as she slid her gaze between the three, taking a little longer to stop at Ake than the other two. though she did dart back to Teamhair for just a moment.

"But where are my manners," she smiled as she spun around to reach for a bottle of fine whiskey in one hand with glasses in the other. "Anyone care for a drink? A toast to new business opportunities, new friendships, and maybe even something more." She finished the sentence with her eyes locked on Ake, her hands already deftly filling each cup in turn with equal amounts of the beverage. With a silken movement, she was next to Ake, her silk kimono brushing up against him as she held out one of the glasses. The sweet perfume wafted towards him with each ripple of fabric, mingling with the scent of the whiskey.

And then she was gone to Orduin, then Teamhair, stopping at each briefly to hand a glass to, sizing each of them up in her mind. One part of her wanted to scream, to run, to try and do something to get rid of these people, but something else deep within felt somehow comfortable. The vision of Kwan Huang was oddly soothing. Conflicted, she raised her glass once all the others had theirs and smiled, "To new travels and traveling companions." No sooner had the words left her mouth than the glass had met her lips and the whiskey slid down her throat with practiced ease.

[rhoenix]

"Yeah," Kolth said to Yvela while they approached the court where it sat, as he exhaled a tremendous lungful of smoke upward into the air. "But I really think you should be worrying more about her than me - she seems the type that would go for the big and strong type."

For all Kolth's jesting, he was only an inch shorter than Yvela, and built slender and wiry instead of hale and hearty. The two didn't look too dissimilar as they walked - barring the regular clouds of smoke from one of them, anyway.

"So yeah, here we are," he said, almost bored-sounding as they arrived. "She seems very cultured and shit, so we'd best make her feel at home," he said while exhaling a tremendous lungful of pungent-smelling smoke upward, toward the windows of the wagon. With that, he put the remaining half of his blunt out, and packaged it away lovingly as they approached the door.

"Age before shenanigans," Kolth said formally (though with a small smile), as he ushered Yvela up the steps to the door of the caravan wagon.

[LadyTevar]

"Slainte," Teamhair said, saluting their hostess, before sipping the whiskey with far more decorum than Liayna. One elegant eyebrow raised, and she gave the caravan master a nod of acknowledgement over the quality of her liquor.

Orduin shot it like a soldier, breathing out slowly afterwards. "I'm afraid of the 'new travels' part. It seems more like new travails." The door opened and Orduin caught sight of the missing two. "Ysela, Kolth. Meet Liayna Naguno, our Eclipse."