The All-Taverns Tournament: The Brig

[Pig Boy]

The All-Taverns Tournament:
The Brig

8th of Zi'da 721

"Girl... You look like a pile of horse shit fell on yer."

Rozkia's head was still ringing with the electricity that effused from the truncheons of the Lightning Knights. But as her eyes began to adjust to the gloom of the cell she was unceremoniously dropped into after the fight, she saw a man peering through the bars that kept their cells separate. He seemed to be chewing on a rigid straw, or else a piece of wood. He snorted, and then spat to the side, then turned to watch her again. "Hear me girl? Horseshit. Smell like fucking mackerel too."

Footsteps came from beyond the cell's door. Someone was coming down the lane. But the man wouldn't stop talking, "Lissen girl, yer gonna hafta grow some hair on yer chest. The cheese and bread they serve ain't exactly the kind they serve at the Flying Moon. You that one that scratched up the fucker in the Arena? Could hear his screams from all the way down here. Nice work that, but stupid. I'm Sallahan Ki...."

The door opened to Rozkia's cell, and then was shut behind a woman who looked like a healer, accompanied by a Lightning Knight, who gave Rozkia a dirtier look than even Sallahan had given her.

The woman had blonde hair, gathered into a bun, and blue eyes. She was beautiful, wearing a brown smock. If Rozkia made a motion to squirm away, she'd assure her, "Don't worry. I'm here to help heal you... This is Sir Trent, he's here to make sure we're both safe..."

"Safe like a rat in a tiger's cage." Said Sallahan, with a snort.

The woman gave him a disapproving look, and then frowned in concern on Rozkia. "Do you think you can stand up?"

[Rozkia]

She heard voices but they were all so far away. She wanted to acknowledge the dreadful pain on her temples, not to mention the... shaky feeling - like she'd be shocked by something. More importantly in her mind was the change of scenery. She was in a dingy cell - why? Ah, she'd given the lesser what he deserved. She had them been cleaned with a blow by the Lighting Knights at the immortals command. As her vision swam, she closed her eyes to block out whatever light she could.

"Stupid lesser oiled himself like one," She responded, her head lolled sloppily to the speaking voice as she raised a clawed hand to her head. Instinctively she grinned manically - the blood on her hands felt good especially if this other lesser was right an he'd indeed been in pain. If her answer wasn't enough, she proudly displayed her claws to him before recoiling as the movement sent shockwaves of pain through her.

Before she could question her cellmate the footsteps were inside her cell door and shut quickly. She wanted to move back, to hiss, to do anything. But she didn't have the strength for much and if she was going to be healed was there any point of fighting? She needed the treatment, so she would swallow her pride for a moment. The Naer nodded hesitantly at the healer, eyes following her every move as closely as she could with the throb of pain in her temples.

She was definitely beautiful, but with a Lightning Knight behind her giving her griec through his gaze, she focused solely on the healer. She glanced over at Sallahan, trying to glean any sign of danger or fear. She couldn't get a read on him, and that wasn't a good thing. When the healer spoke again, she seemed to have a look of concern. Of course she could-

"Ugnh," She groaned as she swayed and instantly took a knee to keep herself from collapsing completely. She immediately cursed and held her head. The sudden movement of trying to stand had dizzies her... With a deep, shaky breath she tried to stop the throbbing pain by breathing. There was no way she was getting up unless it was slowly and with help. She hoped the lesser she'd fought was facing just as much, no, more pain that she was now.

"What is to happen to us?" She said between breaths and gritted teeth. She needed to know if this was a death sentence - but if it was, why would they bother to heal her?She wasn't ready to die yet, she hadn't accomplished enough.

[Pig Boy]

The All-Taverns Tournament:
The Brig

8th of Zi'da 721

"Lesser, uhn?" Sallahan snickered, and then snorted and spat to the cell wall. "Yer might as well make it obvious that yer fresh out from between the cavern twixt Audrae's legs." Whether the reference to the location of Augiery was intentional or just a colorful turn of phrase, Sallahan made no concesssions to that effect. "Ye, I've met yer kind before. Some of yer have a way of blending in, but yer... What are yer but the shadow of a cave rat, with brains to match?"

Sallahan cackled one last time, and then retreated into the darkness of the cell, as the door opened to reveal the healer accompanied by the Lightning Knight. She bent down over Rozkia, and asked very gently, "Where does it hurt? The temples?" She tsked as the Lightning Knight behind her kept close to both of them, to intercept if needed.

Then, the healer did something that might not have been expected, she turned her head and spoke over her shoulder at Sir Trent. "Trent, will you leave us alone for now? Just outside the cell, I'll not be going anywhere." She winked at him. Trent hesitated, but then grumbled, "Aye Miss." So saying, he left the cell, and stood outside the hall as the door closed and barred them in.

Then, the healer stared at Rozkia with a frank glance. A momentary pause, and then she began applying some ointment to the bruises on the Naer's forehead, if she'd allow it. "It's alright, I'm here to heal you. You know, you really must've pissed off Ilaren. Half the city could hear her voice shouting in anger as you cut down the Angler."

A voice issued from the darkness of the adjoining cell, "Close shave that." Sallahan remarked.

The healer ignored him, "I'll have to check that your skull isn't fractured, will you let me? I'll need to shave off a bit of the hair from your temples, where the bludgeon hit you."

She would wait for her consent before doing so, and in the meantime merely sat with the woman, and spoke to her in a gentle voice. "Now, a strong woman like you has a lot to live for, and a lot to offer any potential employer. Why would you go and assault a man in plain view before the entire arena?"

Sallahan spoke up, "The man was asking for a Melrathi crewcut, a keen shave just above the clavicle." He cackled from the darkness.

The healer turned her head to the darkness, shaking her head at it, and then turned back to Rozkia, waiting for her response to the question.

[Rozkia]

Sallahan seemed eerily calm for his current situation - Rozkia realized it all too slowly. He spoke as if he was accustomed to the brig - a long time resident perhaps. Though she was caught on the way he spoke - her kind. Was it really so out of lesser power that others beside themselves existed? Would it pain them to know if every one of the naer was a murder or even a barbarian as they claimed? She clicked her teeth with the beginning of a growl rumbling from her throat as he insulted her.

She couldn't sense any hostilities - for all the naer knew the woman truly did intend to heal her. She managed a nod at the first round of questions, but kept her eyes on the healer despite her eagerness to be treated. "My temples." She hissed, sucking in breath but bristled when the knight moved closer. Her gaze jerked between them - which was more of a threat? - but she whipped back to the healer when she spoke again, asking the damned knight to leave. Was she confident she could easily get away? Was she stronger than she was letting on? The naer had too many questions.

Why would she intentionally leave herself vulnerable? Using her as a hostage could possibly get Rozkia away from the brig. Even then, if the naer choose to kill the woman, was the knight so confident he could get the healer before Rozkia clawed out her throat? She was sure he couldn't, not with the Healer so close to her. So why did the naer hesitate..? There was something going on, there had to be. She wasn't even sure if this gut feeling was right, but she trusted her survival instinct enough to know something was wrong. The naer flinched at the incoming hand, but let the healer work with cautious eyes.

"It would've been better if I had more time," She muttered bitterly. Truthfully, if she'd had a chance she'd have used both hands to plunge through his back if she could. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so alive. She would keep surviving, fighting, because the shadow mother made her for greatness. She had to have a purpose. "Do it," the naer consented after a few moments. Rozkia paused her breath as the woman continued to speak. Why had she put the lesser where he belonged? She wanted to scoff.

Some parts of the rage she felt was her own, she knew. But a larger part was... untraceable. She wondered if - by some miracle - the voice in her head had been her own. The sultry voice promised honey that she'd eagerly taken. Though no one else heard it, the naer gathered. Her approach had been quiet, but if anyone had heard what she had she wouldn't have gotten far enough.

So then, why had she attacked? At that moment? “My pride wouldn't let him walk away unharmed.” He’d belittled her, smeared her pride into the dirt along with her face. He couldn’t go on living peacefully after such a slight. He needed to pay. “He had it coming. If not by me then who?” She spat angrily. “Even if it meant being dragged down here, I’d gladly do it again.”

It wasn’t that simple of course - she was angry, her pride was hurt and she was feeling petty. But the voice had encouraged her, and for some reason that was enough for her to act - knowing that something was on her side even if she didn’t know who. It wasn’t as if she was dependent though - she just… for once she felt validated and she’d done it without too much coaxing or strings being pulled. It was her choice, and she’d taken it. That said…

“Why is it so interesting to you?” She asked quietly, eyes narrowed.

[Pig Boy]

The All-Taverns Tournament:
The Brig

8th of Zi'da 721


The healer checked Rozkia's temples as she was allowed, but didn't use the razor. "Doesn't look too serious, in fact. I won't use the razor on here." She reached into her pouch, for a set of herbs, though, "Here, chew on these, they'll help stave off the effects of concussion."

Having said this, the healer stepped back from the Naerikk, and looked down at her. "You were prompted by pride because he manhandled you the entire time. If you'd have brought that fire to the final round of the match, you might've won. But instead, you waited for him to turn his back. That speaks to a certain amount of practicality. Would you be able to control that pride, if you had an employer who treated you like dirt? It seems more like an inferiority complex, which is nothing ot be proud of."

Her lips curled into a sneer. "That said, I'm not sure why I'm even asking this. In truth, you'd probably be safer to leave dead rather than a loose canon, but somebody seems to see value in your life continuing in service. So I come with an offer."

"Freedom from this cell, for service to the Shadow Quarter. Accept now or refuse, but you won't get another chance like this." The 'healer' crossed her arms, still holding onto the razor with her right hand. The sound of her voice was oddly muffled as if tamped down to echo only through this space they shared. It was time for Rozkia to choose. And it was a choice that would follow her through life.

Off Topic

Be very careful what your character does in reaction to this scenario. There's a very real chance of character death depending on your choice.

[Rozkia]

Rozkia wasn't sure exactly what this feeling was in the back of her mind. It was a nagging of... caution or worry? She wasn't certain. With the healer looking over her wounds, Rozkia remained stock still and silent after her rant. She took the herbs hesitantly. She ventured a discreet - well, not really - sniff before she tentatively placed a green past her lips and chewing slowly. She couldn't discern a flavor, it tasted like earth and grass. Even if it was poisoned she didn't have much to lose or any way of knowing. Her head ache was slowly ebbing away, and for that Rozkia softened her eyes as a semblance of gratitude, though the glare persisted even then.

When the woman spoke of her pride, the Naerikk bristled, but something in the healers voice had changed so she stayed silent and listened. When she sneered down at the Naerikk, only then did she feel some semblance of ease. Something about being hated, judged, and scorned.. it felt better than being treated tenderly and with care - it was better than the false front that people displayed when dealing with her at times. She took no enjoyment in their care, their happiness. But this look of distain... that she could handle. When she finshed, Rozkia simply stared her, brows raised like a deer in headlights.

An.. offer? When the healer - was she really? - mentioned the shadow quarters service, something clicked. She could have her freedom as long as she stayed on their good side. She was no more than a tool to be used for her Immortal, why would this lesser be any different? Somewhere she registered herself as always being a tool - when would she be the master? - and she frowned. As it stood, a mere blow to the head had taken her down. All her efforts in honing herself had been for naught.

Looking around the cell - the healers words in her mind - she realized only she had heard the offer. The shadow quarter had been impossible to find, impossible to learn of. Even then she'd sniffed around and only got a hint and nothing more. If they had the power she sought... Rozkia examined the the healers face, her disposition entirely different, and ran her tongue over her lips to wet them. Suddenly it dawned her the situation she was in. If she declined, she had no doubt the woman would either kill her or keep to her word and leave her to rot in the cell. If she said yes she'd be a pawn to their every desire. And as much as she hated the idea she was curious of a power that could get her released under Illaren's nose.

It was a dangerous situation, and her response came as neutral as she could make it with the hairs of her neck standing on end. This woman was powerful, she could make good on her threats unlike the Naer. She wanted such power for herself... And so with that the thought she nodded. "I accept your demands," She corrected. There was no offer here as from what she could see. It was either accept or rot. She didn't have options. So she summitted to the whim of the shadows.

[Pig Boy]

The All-Taverns Tournament:
The Brig

8th of Zi'da 721


The Witch Doctor regarded the creature before her with mingling curiosity and disgust. She was in many ways a broken example of their kind, of the Naerikk. But there was potential there, as a blunt instrument perhaps, or something more? Only time would tell. Yet the Witch Doctor saw something in her, and she'd been useful so far in bringing the Angler low enough for the Lightning Knight Commander to bring his life to an end. Then, all the carefully cultivated order of this event would be dashed into chaos.

She offered her free hand, the one not weilding the razor to Rozkia. With a curved of her lips, she nodded to her, making a gesture in Euthic sign that Rozkia would recognise. "We Orphans of our Immortal Mothers will have a piece of vengeance this night. Rest assured. For now, we must away." The Witch doctor led Rozkia out of the cell.

Once they made it out, the Lightning Knight who'd escorted them to the cell quirked a brow, and then raised his voice in alarm, "Hey, where..."

But was then tackled from behind by a shadowy beast, a crazed blood-thirsty hound, or some sort of cat. The creature was a chimera out of a nightmare, as its four forepaws clawed and gashed and his mouth devoured the Lightning Knight that stood between it and the Witch Doctor.

"He cannot see us... while you're under my wing, Rozkia. Let us away."

So saying, she led Rozkia straight out of the brig, and into the streets, where they made their way to freedom. The Sesserfiend drove the corpse of the lightning knight into the now emptied cell, tearing it to pieces, beyond recognition as it gorged upon his flesh.

Off Topic

Rozkia is now free to move about Rharne, however, she will be known as a perpetrator of assault, who somehow escaped justice. Best to keep a low profile and wait for instructions, and follow the instructions of her superiors in the Shadow Quarter.

Welcome to the Shadow Quarter, by the way, Prospect.

I will update your Shadow Quarter tracker soon.

[Pig Boy]

Player Name: Rozkia

Points awarded: 15
Magic xp: none

Knowledge:

Endurance: x2
Intelligence: x 3
Discipline: x 3

Renown: 10
Loot: freeeedom
Injuries/Overstepping: You're alright, by the time current cycle comes around, you're alright.
Wealth Points: None
Consequences: For whatever reason, the portal that the Witch Doctor breaks open behind you snaps shut before she can escape with you. The details that arise from this are still to be determined in the ending of the event as a whole. For now, Rozkia's standing orders as a Shadow Quarter Prospect are to keep up her cover as a Prize fighter, to gain notoriety and get stronger.

Skill Review: All Skills used appropriately to PC's level

Notes: Phew, Rozkia came dangerously close to pissing off some important people here... Well that's not entirely fair. Ilaren is certainly quite pissed, and Rozkia had best learn to balance her growing notoriety against the need to remain unseen and beneath Ilaren's notice.

This was a fun aside to the event, that allowed me to explore the perspective of several of the main 'villains'. So thanks for sticking with me long enough to indulge! This was good writing by you all around.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this review, feel free to PM. Enjoy your rewards!