• Closed • Time and Time Again

[Tio Silver]

60th Ymiden, 719
The Crags

It began, as many of the dangers in Yaralon did, with a fracture.



It tore open within a cliff on The Crags bordering near the murky bogs of Maidens Refuge, creating horrendous waves and whirlpools in the water around it that chased the nearby wildlife away. From out of the rock rose a crooked tower of pale slate grey stone; a jagged eyesore even among the murky surroundings. Although the structure itself seemed like it could have been man made, the stone it was built from was clearly unnatural. It was freezing to the touch, so cold in fact that it robbed all the heat from the surrounding area and shrouded the air in a chilly mist. Just looking upon it gave people a horrible sense of stillness; as if they were prey cowering in silence as a huge predator passed by. Something in the air, some awful reverence, made all living creatures instinctively want to whisper in its presence, as if shouting and screaming would anger it somehow.

While definitely one of the more unusual things to come out of a fracture, the bigger mercenary companies had more pressing matters to deal with at the time: demon's were invading, pirates had formed some kind of raiding alliance with the Ivorian navy, and there were still a handful of mages running around who, despite having Emea's regular source of ether back, had developed something of an addiction to flaying life force and were randomly attacking civilians. Because of that the contract to investigate the tower had fallen into the hands of a medium sized company named the Jaguar Clan, whose leader swore on her honour would see the tower either conquered or destroyed by the season's end.

Thirty trials later, the tower still stood.

Posters were put up all across Yaralon, calling for individuals possessing unique skills to come and aid the Jaguar Clan in return for a large share of whatever loot was plundered from within the fracture. Whether it was in response to these posters or for another reason Cervantez, Kisaik and Rabu would find themselves at the Jaguar Clan's campsite, mingling among the small group of other Yari who had answered the Jaguars' call. It was midday by the time that the commander came to speak to them. She was a young aukari woman with a stern expression chiseled by constant frowning, and dark red hair pulled back into a painfully tight bun.

"Listen up!" She shouted, grabbing the groups attention immediately with her no-nonsense tone. "It's time you were briefed on the situation. The tower we're attempting to conquer follows a strange set of rules. The front door is the only entrance, however the door will not open unless a group of exactly three people stands before it and will only do so once per trial. I have sent numerous troops in already however so far none have returned, and we cannot communicate with those inside the tower to find out why. I can only conclude that there is some kind of obstacle within that my troops cannot overcome with sheer combat ability. Therefor your mission is to go in, find my troops and assist them in making their way to our target: the heart of this fracture. The troops I sent in earlier all had enough supplies to last them a dozen or so trials, weapons and survival equipment, and will share it with you if needed, however anything else you will have to bring yourself. Are there any questions?"

Any questions the group asked would be answered at this point. When they were done the commander's eyes quickly scanned the group. Perhaps because of their rather distinctive appearances and the unusual equipment some of them wore her eyes alighted on Cervantez, Kisaik and Rabu, who she pointed out from the crowd. "You, you and you, you're up first. Come with me. The rest of you get into groups of three."

With a brisk walk she set off, leading the way up a path from the campsite to the cliff the tower was perched upon. The chill in the air and the ominous aura sank deeper into their bones the further along they went, until fairly soon they stood just a few feet away from the structure. Directly in front of them was a huge, heavy portcullis of wrought black iron dusted in small icicles. The commander backed off away from them, and as if sensing the presence of an acceptable team the portcullis creaked open, allowing them passage inside.

[Kisaik]

The campsite was very cozy. Kisaik liked it. Alaiwa probably would be roasting bugs on the open fire if he were here, yet his squire had duties to attend at the burrow. Nugget, the Harpy Eagle, was growing up so quick. He needed a lot of attention, and so it often fell to Alaiwa to care for the chick when he and Rabu were indisposed. Kisaik thought once or twice about letting Sai and her brother birdsit for them, but thought better of it when he remembered the red faced little bully's mean streak. He'd since forgiven the lad for abducting them, as it led to a favorable result, but he was still cautious with the young Raskalguard.

Instead, Kisaik was pleased to be accompanied by Rabu on this adventure, or quest, or whatever the mercenaries wanted to call it. A raid perhaps, or dungeon crawl. Well, names weren't all that important. What was important, that they see this quest through to its end, to a successful completion!

Kisaik assembled with the others when the Aukari woman started speaking. Her fire-red hair made him a bit nervous, but he kept a calm face nevertheless. He nodded at all the appropriate points, and waited, then asked his question. "If only three may enter, does that include my steed, Slate the cat?" Kisaik gestured down to the cat he sat astride, a large gray domestic longhair, decked out in full cobalt plate barding and underpadding. Slate had grown accustomed to the cat barding, and was as comfortable walking around in it now as it was in a cat bed.

"I daresay, I may not move as quickly as the others without my noble steed."

Whatever came of their exchange, Kisaik would approach the door dutifully along with the others, perhaps even leading the way.

"Have courage my friends! We're ready for whatever lies ahead."

As the door open, he gestured with his arm, signalling the charge forward. "Forward march!"

[Rabu]

Like a moth to the flame, Rabu had found himself involved in another dangerous situation. This time it was not a matter of being at the wrong place at the wrong time but rather an event of his own choosing. Kisaik had told Rabu of the call for men and women of special skills needed for a mysterious endeavour. It was clear the Tunawa knight wished to go and where he went, Rabu was sure to follow. If Rabu wasn’t exactly being dragged along, he was compelled to go. With the domain of mystery, the tunawa was drawn to the unexplainable and it was likely he would find this place some time or another.

Like Kisaik’s Squire, Rabu’s Ithecal guardian Vasa was not present. The day before she had gotten in a fight with a rather entitled man who invaded a known play area of young children, to play with his adult son. The Ithecal’s heart was in the right place but she bit off more than she could chew when she challenged the man. The man and his son were defeated but The ithecal needed bed rest to recover from her many injuries. Like any good friend, Rabu was worried for her but he had already treated the worst all she needed was time.

Rabu stood next to Kisaik, as the tall folk women with red hair began explaining the details of their mission. The tunawa nodded his head but couldn’t help wonder if the woman assessment was truly correct. What if the men she had sent were simply gobbled up by some strange beast with six heads, teeth made of flaming spears and an insatiable appetite for the souls of the innocent?

Rabu spang to life when the women suddenly pointed at him, he bit his lip as he wondered if this was really a good idea. Rabu turned to Kisaik who was brave as always, and smiled. Rabu knew he had to have courage like his husband to be, The men in this strange place could need their help, and they might be the tunawa to do it.

“Yes Sir!” Rabu exclaimed as he marched behind Kisaik to where they needed to be.

As they stood at the entrance Rabu glanced up at the rather tall folk who had been chosen to be the pairs third.
“You look like dis tall folk I already seen, Dis true?” .

[Cervantez]

☠ Ymiden 60th, 719 ☠
☠ Mood: Calm & Curious
☠ Thoughts: This is worth looking into
☠ Company: Two Tunawa
☠ Current Theme: Dernière Danse
☠ Attire: Masterwork Armor

"Common Speech"

"Xantheon Speech"

☠

Time and Time Again ☠

☠ They say curiosity kills, but in the case of a necromancer is that really true? Cervantez found himself among the many that answered the call to arms. Some were here for the glory, some to make names for themselves, but Cerv, Cervantez wasn't her for any of that.

He was here out of the sheer curiosity of what lay within the tower, and the fracture it came from. He knew better than most that the only way to find out would be to experience it for himself. So he was here simply for the discovery of what secrets this place held.

There were so many here, of different skills and races, and he felt a little proud at how diverse his people where. Big or small no matter the form they were Yari, and he was glad to be among them. It came time for things to get underway and he made his way to the front to listen.

When she explained the situation his brow rose and he made sure his pouch he kept his marrow in was on him. It probably was the only thrall he would be able to summon from his repository of bodies. Part of him hoped there were some corpses in there to use just in case. It seemed that his hunch was right, and he was glad he had the bag on him.

When he was picked out of the crowd, he nodded and went forward with the woman. He glanced down to see the others in his group were.......Tunawa. He let out a chuckle surprised at seeing them. When brought to the door he watched with invested eyes as it began to move, fascinated by the inner workings of the place. Just how did it know there were three people in front of it.

As it did one of the Tunawa asked him a question, to which he smiled and knelt down to him. It was odd for the Lothar but he felt it was a respectful thing to do.

"We helped save the Mud Burho together remember? We are the guardians of the first tree now."

he answered with a smirk, hoping the tunawa appreciated the familiar tongue of Xanthean.

With that, he followed the other into the tower, not knowing what awaited him on the other side, which excited him more.☠

[Tio Silver]

In answer to Kisaik's question, the commander gave a curt nod. "Yes, mounts count towards the group limit. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave your..." she raised an eyebrow critically at Slate, "noble steed behind. My troops will see that it is kept safe while you are gone. Perhaps your human teammate would be so kind as to give you a ride on his shoulders?" Her eyes shifted to look at Cervantez, silently asking him whether he would have an issue with that or not.


Kisaik led the way through the portcullis, with Rabu and Cervantez following behind him. Once they'd taken a few steps forward the portcullis slammed back down with a loud crash, trapping them inside. There was no going back. They had walked into a corridor made of smooth, plain grey stone, and as they headed forward their surrounding quickly grew darker and darker until they could not even see their own hands in front of them. Fortunately the corridor only ever went completely straight ahead, so there was no chance of getting lost.

After what must have been about half a break (hour) of walking a faint blue light became visible straight ahead. It grew bigger and brighter the closer they came to it, soon becoming defined enough to be recognizable as an opening into a room. As the party stepped through the change in lighting briefly blinded them, but when their eyes adjusted a breathtaking sight awaited them.



They were in some kind of huge indoor garden, with grand trees jutting out of the grass beneath their feet to form a huge canopy for a ceiling. Directly before them was a large lake that glowed with a gentle blue light, illuminating the whole room with a mystical aura. It was soft, comforting and warm; the polar opposite of the harsh cold that'd surrounded the tower outside. There was only one thing that spoiled the image.

The dead bodies.

Each of the corpses wore a sash of jaguar fur somewhere, marking them as the missing members of the Jaguar Clan. They were like blots of darkness floating in the lake's calm blue waters; shadows disturbing an otherwise picturesque scene. None of them had any injuries, yet they all had the clammy complexion and glassy eyes of cadavers that'd been dead for a while.

"Regrettable. We wished not for their lives to be forfeit."

A voice, deep and smooth, rang out from the lake. It sounded like a man's voice, but the rich baritone and ethereal echo to it was not one that any regular human could possess. From out of the water swam a glowing koi fish-like creature, with beautiful blue scales ranging between cerulean and sapphire in colour. It swam up into the air, floating as effortlessly as if it was in water.

"Regrettable, but necessary. We warned them that their lives would be at risk, but they chose to participate anyway. It had to be done."

A second voice, light and harp-like, followed suit. This one was unmistakably female and possessed the same echo, though had an airy soprano to counter the depth of its counterpart's voice. A second koi, with scales of salmon pink to crimson, followed the first's path up into the air. Both koi began to circle each other above the lake, high out of the party's reach.



"Though they heard, they did not listen. We told them our trial was not one they could solve with force, and yet still they readied their weapons." The blue koi hummed.

"Perhaps these ones will fair better? Perhaps they will give us the answer we need?" The red koi replied.

"Perhaps." The blue koi ceased its circling and faced the group. "These three are certainly not like the other mortals. They have a touch of our kind inside of them. Concept made carnate. The abstract given purpose. They might better understand our plight."

The red koi flew low across the surface of the water, skimming its surface with its whiskers. From out of the water rose three stone pillars, each with a glowing blue rune inscribed upon it. The water before each of these pillars froze to make bridges of smooth ice that reached to the edge of the lake, allowing the group to walk up to them. The red koi then twisted back around and floated lazily above their heads.

"Hear us, half-mortals. We are the wardens of this place: the constant tower. We have-..."

"Had." The blue koi interrupted.

"... Will have a duty to perform here. However a situation has arisen-..."

"Arose."

"...Will arise that we are unsure of how to resolve. We must perform our duty, but we are unsure of what duty dictates we must do."

The blue koi followed the red's path over their heads. "Therefor we have created a test, the results of which will reveal the answer to our question. Three are required to take it, and so it was in three's that we allowed you mortals to enter our domain."

"Yet to know what we seek is to change the result. The participants cannot know what question they reveal the answer to without influencing the outcome.

"Pass this test and the treasures of this fracture are yours to do with as you wish."

"Fail and your life shall likely be forfeit."

"But a warning to the wise: violence shall serve you ill in these challenges. Your head must be your weapon, and your heart your shield."

The two koi came together again, resuming their circling of each other above the lake. "What say you, half-spirits?" They spoke in unison. "Will you take our tests?"

The runes upon the stone pillars glowed, beckoning the group towards them. The unspoken message was clear: if they wanted to participate each one of them needed to touch one of the pillars. The runes on each pillar were completely unrecognizable, so none of them could know what they were choosing.

[Rabu]

“Oh yes of course how could I forget such a momentous occasion such as that.” Rabu respond in his native tongue to the Lotharro with an embarrassed smile. He gave himself a light tap to the head as punishment for his poor memory.
“Let us continue, fellow Guardian of the sacred tree.” Rabu added quickly before heading after Kisaik.

————-

After they all entered, the metal door came crashing down locking them in. Rabu gulped as he looked back at the closed door and the darkened corridor ahead, There was no where to go but forward into the darkness. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and followed Kisaik. Their leader had a bit of natural glow to his bark that made him easy to spot but did little to light the darkened corridor. Rabu thankfully had a mushroom growing from his scalp. He closed his eyes for a moment and the fungus began to illuminate, he then plucked it from his head and used it as a torch to light the area around him as the group continued forward.

Tt felt like they’d been walking for an eternity down the same dark corridor, when they finally spotted a light at the end of the tunnel. The light led them to a dazzling underground garden, with tranquil waters and an abundance of sturdy trees. It was peaceful enough that Rabu lost a bit of tension in his frame that built up after all the harsh and forbidding places they’d just passed through.

Of course, this beauty was not to be trusted. The dead bodies of the missing men and women were in plain sight. Drifting in the waters with milky pale skin, it was clear to even a Tunawa that they had been dead for a while. There mission had failed before it had even began.

Rabu nearly fell over with fright as a sudden voice came from the river. The voice belonged to a fish or at least it appeared to be one. It flew through the air towards them and along with another otherworld fish explained how the men and women had died trying to complete some test. The test apparently was to find the answer to a problem that might happen or has happened, it was unclear to even the fish. The one thing Rabu got from this interaction was that they were needed to do a test, one that could kill them but they might be safe if they didn’t use violence. Rabu had little trouble remaining peaceful, he was a pacifist after all, but the tunawa had some questions.

“Is there a way to bring the men and women back to the world of the living?..they have families..” Before hearing a response he knew what there answer would be and he didn't like it. Beads of sap welled up in his eyes and he took a moment to wipe them away. “We came here to help them, if they are truly lost then we should return home and tell of their passing.” Rabu turned to walk away, gesturing to the others to follow.

Kisaik being the knight that he was, likely wasn’t going to step down form a quest and Rabu wasn’t going to leave without him. With no other choice, reluctant tunawa did as instructed, placing his hand on the glowing runes as the others did.

"I hope you know what your doing dear one.” Rabu added under his breath.

[Kisaik]

"Very well." Kisaik said, hopping off of the saddle. To be honest, he was relieved to leave Slate behind. He didn't want to bring him into a perilous situation if it could be avoided, though he knew the cat was equal to whatever challenges lay ahead. "I won't be needing my lance, without my steed." He said, buckling up the sleeve to which the lance was attached. The other end of the lance's sleeve clattered against the ground as the cat retreated, going to investigate the campfire and maybe have a nap.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So he went in, with no weapon apart from his Ojobgon Pellet thrower, which was as much a pellet thrower as a walking stick or club. He used it as a walking stick, for now, however. He would likely have to rely on his wits and charm to get him out of whatever scrapes lie ahead. Besides, they had a large human in the form of their fellow Warden of the First Tree, that Lotharro chap.

"Ah yes! I remember... Thanks to you we have a vegetable garden in the center of the grove." Kisaik beamed at the necromancer. "I don't think I caught your name though. I'm Kisaik, although my human friends seem to prefer to call me Chip."

As he led the way into the tower, the portcullis crashed behind them, trapping them inside.

But what a place to find oneself trapped in. A garden of bright luminescence shone in front of their eyes, large trees jutting out of the ground. It was almost as good as being in the firefly apiaries of Desnind. No, it was even better. But there was something wrong about this scene.

It eventually dawned on Kisaik that a group of men had fallen and were dead, in the middle of this scene. Before he had time to register what was going on, the two Koi fish appeared to the group, and began talking.

They went on to explain that the people who'd fallen failed to listen to their instructions, and had drawn their weapons. Apparently this was a fatal mistake, as they related their regrets that whatever errand they required of the expedition to undertake, wasn't one that could be overcome with force.

"Hmm! Good thing I left my weapon behind then! And Slate, he rather enjoys fish..." He winked at the Koi.

Then the initial pitch was laid out.

Kisaik scratched his chin for a few moments, then shrugged. "We seem to have here, some sort of temporal conundrum. Judging by the way you spirits seem to mix and meld your tenses." He giggled.

"Very well, we haven't gone this far to let another imperil themselves. I accept your quest, and this most important duty." He nodded to his betrothed, and then went forward. He chose the pillar opposite Rabu, leaving the one in the middle for Cervantez. He laid his hand on the runes, as well as he could, tracing their indentations with a few fingers.

[Cervantez]

☠ Ymiden 60th, 719 ☠
☠ Mood: Calm & Curious
☠ Thoughts: Seems we have no choice
☠ Company: Two Tunawa & talking fish
☠ Current Theme: Dernière Danse
☠ Attire: Masterwork Armor

"Common Speech"

"Xantheon Speech"

☠

Time and Time Again ☠

☠ The necromancer chuckled at the words of the tunawa, unable to find them anything other than adorable. He was glad to be among comrades from the great tree burho and felt a little more relaxed than he was when the door shut behind them as it did. The path ahead was ominous and daunting, and the necromancer put a hand on the hilt of his sword.

He didnt know what exactly to expect going into this place but he knew it would be dangerous. The party before them hadn't returned, which meant something had to of killed them. He was hoping there were some survivors around to shed light on what had occurred. That was the main thought as he ventured further in with the two tunawa.

Coming out of the darkness of the entrance the group was met by the sight of a beautiful pool of ethereal plantlife and a glowing lake. His eyes fell upon the heap of dead bodies laid out around the lake edge. He went over to examine but was caught off guard by the sound of a voice.

It was unlike anything he would have experienced, but then again going into a twisted future, meeting fairies, what could even be explained as normal now to him? Looking to the source he saw the fish, the otherworldly feel of it as it spoke, only to be joined by another. As shocked and curious as he was, the floating fish did answer a burning question he had.

It seemed the group before them had decided to go the true Yari route to things, using aggression to solve issues. If it was a test of wit and will, then Cervantez was perfect for it. When asked if he and the others would partake in their challenge, the necromancer nodded, stepping forward to the center pillar, laying his hand on the glyphs. ☠

[Tio Silver]

Each one of them placed their hand upon one of the runes, and felt the hairs on their arm stand on edge as an electric power washed through them. The blue glow of the runes grew brighter and brighter as the calm waters of the lake beneath them rapidly became violent, swirling around them madly. With a sudden eruption the lake water blasted upwards, and for a split few seconds they closed their eyes and the world was lost to them. There was nothing but the sensation of water violently forcing them upwards.

It wasn't long before the eruption ran out of energy. The water that'd been blasted into the air fell down in a quick torrent, and the lake returned to its usual serenity. Everything was as it had been, save for one difference...

Rabu, Kisaik and Cervantez had vanished.

"A temporal conundrum he says. Amusing. If only he knew the half of it." The red koi tittered.

The blue koi did not share her amusement. "You speak as if we understand-..."

"Understood."

"Will understand it. If we did, we would have no need for all this... unpleasantness."

"That is true I suppose." The red koi sighed. "She certainly makes things difficult for us doesn't she? I only hope we have made the right decision."

"So do I." The blue koi replied. "So do I."

Rabu

Although the pressure of it lessened, the water still surrounded him. It was getting hard to breathe and, upon opening their eyes, Rabu would find that they were completely submerged in a lake. Perhaps it was the same one the koi fish had come from? Perhaps the eruption had caused him to fall in? Whatever the case the light of the sun above revealed that he wasn't too far away from the surface and blissfully sweet air, and there was little choice but to swim up towards it.

Upon reaching the surface Rabu would find themselves in the middle of a pond deep in a lush, wild forest. A dense canopy of thick, emerald green leaves coated the place in cool shade, allowing only a few beams of direct sunlight to highlight the patches of colourful wild flowers, and the bushes and branches bristled about as all manner of small woodland creatures passed through them. It was definitely not the same garden he'd been in before, though there was something oddly familiar about it. The species of plant life and the climate was not that of Yaralon; in fact it seemed eerily similar to Desnid. But surely that couldn't be right?

“Oh oh oh! Dis deh place!”

The sound of someone talking, a tunawa if the pitch was any indication, rang out from somewhere nearby. Looking in the direction of the voice, Rabu would spot two people pushing through the undergrowth near the edge of the pond. The first was a tunawa with purply-brown bark and a handsome face, although strangely he had a completely bald head. He looked familiar, really familiar, but was too far away for Rabu to get a proper look at. The second...

A chill ran down Rabu's spine as he looked at the second stranger. He was human, and a tall one at that, with a thin, pale build and jet black hair slicked back. He was undeniably handsome in a gentlemanly way; his features the picture of dark elegance and refinement, and dressed in an expensive but practical white suit shirt, brown hiker's trousers and boots. A thin red scar ran across his right eye, but it didn't seem like he had any trouble seeing out of it. Altogether there was nothing about him that looked evil, and yet nonetheless something about him gave off a bad vibe.

Neither person had noticed him, nor did they seem overly focused on their surroundings, and Rabu would probably have no trouble following them without being seen what with all the vegetation for cover. But was that the right decision to make?

Kisaik

The splash of water faded in an instant, and a soaked Kisaik would quickly realise that they were not by the lake anymore. Nowhere close in fact. They were sat on a cold, tunawa sized chair made of crude granite, with their hands in manacles connected to a chain that was pinned to a table in front of them. The room around them was a drab, miserable grey of similar granite and lacked any furnishings.

On the other side of the table stood two men, both human, in grey uniforms that looked suspiciously like the type guards would wear. The younger of the two wore a furious expression and held a bucket dripping with water, which it seemed he had just thrown over Kisaik. The elder sat calmly on a far more comfortable looking wooden chair with a hard, neutral expression, perusing through a small file of some kind.

"Wake up slimeball! The warden has some questions for you!" The younger guard snarled.

The elder guard flicked a page in his file over and raised a single eyebrow, but did not look up from the page. "Prisoner 4649: discovered near the scene of the explosion at the dockyards in possession of suspicious equipment along with one other suspicious individual: Prisoner 4650. Currently both suspects are looking at a ten year sentence for destruction of property. It's a good thing nobody was killed, otherwise you'd be looking at a life sentence."

The older guard was silent for a moment, allowing the gravity of the situation to sink in. Then he sighed wearily and put the folder down, leaning across the table to look at him. "Listen little guy, I don't really believe someone like you would do something like this, but the courts are demanding that someone pay for this. However there's a way out of this. I have an offer for you." He slid a document over the table to Kisaik and handed him a small quill dripping with ink. "This is a testimony to say that you saw 4650 cause the explosion. 4650 has a similar document in front of him at this very moment. If you sign it and 4650 does not you will walk out of here a free man this very day, and he will serve a thirty year sentence. Similarly if you refuse to sign it, but 4650 does, he will walk free while you serve the thirty year sentence. In the event that both of you sign it and blame the other, then both of you will serve twenty years. Think it over little man; will you sign or not?"

The younger guard scoffed."What's there to think about? 4650 is a monster. He's obviously going to take the opportunity to pin the blame on you if it means he can get away scott free. If you don't sign then you're practically guaranteeing the harshest sentence for yourself! Do the smart thing: sign it."

Cervantez

The water soon took on a thick, cloying smell that overwhelmed Cervantez's nostrils, and an immediate sense of wrongness urge him to get up! Quick! Instinctively he pushed upwards, shoving some kind of solid objects that he hadn't realized were there out of his way, and took a deep gasp of air as he surfaced. But even then he couldn't see: his eyes were coated in some kind of red substance.

"Survivor! Quick! Over here!"

A pair of rough hands clasped around his shoulders and hauled him up onto solid ground. A scrap of cloth was rubbed against his face, clearing most of the red liquid from his eyes, and Cervantez was finally able to see again. The sight that awaited him though wasn't a pleasant one.

The land for miles around was hidden beneath a mass of fallen corpses, so numerous that not a single blade of grass could be seen from beneath them. It appeared he had been buried inside a particularly high pile of them, and the red liquid coating him was the blood that oozed out of the many fatal injuries. Discarded weapons and armour littered the place, making it obvious that this was some kind of battlefield, but the sheer scale of it was unimaginable! There must have been a least fifty thousand soldiers! A hurricane of hundreds of crows raged overhead, blotting out the last few rays of light from the setting sun, while hundreds more feasted on the flesh of the departed. It was like a picture of the end of the world.

"It's alright. Don't worry friend, you're alive. You've survived." The man who'd pulled him out of the ground, a muscle-bound giant of a man with wild ginger hair and a thick, bushy beard said comfortingly."We've won the day. Barely, I'll admit, but a victory is a victory. We need to get back to camp before night falls. Can you stand? Here, I'll help you." He offered a hand to help Cervantez rise, mistakenly assuming that all the blood covering him meant he'd been injured somehow.

[Kisaik]

Kisaik gasped as the water splashed over him. Yet as he awoke, he was nowhere near that mysterious body of water. He was in what looked like... well Kisaik had no idea. He'd never experienced the inside of a guardhouse or jail. He'd always endeavored to follow the law and promote justice and order all his days.

Yet, as the guards grilled him, he felt something welling up inside. He put aside the mantle of the Virtuous Knight for a moment, and in the next moment, he donned that of the Righteous Criminal.

He spoke in broken common, of course, as he didn't know if these mooks could even understand Xanthean. "Listen! I ain't gonna talk. Got nothin' to talk about."

Kisaik would've crossed his arms if they weren't caught in manacles. As it was, he settled back into his chair, all relaxed like. He thought he knew how to deal with these pigs.

"I know this game. One of ya softens us up, the other tears into the underbelly. I seen cats in the wild, I knows." Kisaik muttered, "Any tunawa living more den a few years knows dis game. So take your confession, and blow your nose with it! I ain't talkin'."

"And we gots names you know! We ain'ta numbah." Kisaik fixed them in an impassive stare, "You ain't gonna make us talk copper! So go ahead and do dis amateur act. Your tricks won't fool us!"

Kisaik sank back into the chair, smirking innocuously at them. They'd have to step up their game to crack this nuts shell.