North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,165
Er, I was under the impression that you'd quit, since I'd been informed of that by multiple sources. I suppose that's not so? 
End of Empires - N3S III
- Thread starter North King
- Start date
Arrow Gamer
America's Dictator
No. Were orders due? I might have missed the deadline.
Though looking back on it, I realize I completely forgot to originally sign the treaty when it was PMed to me.
Though looking back on it, I realize I completely forgot to originally sign the treaty when it was PMed to me.
North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,165
No, but several people told me you quit, and I seem to recall asking you directly on #nes and never getting a response... Consider it a misunderstanding, you are free to sign the treaty or not as suits your fancy.
Arrow Gamer
America's Dictator
I haven't been on #NES in quite a while. Regardless, they were ill informed.
IC: Signed, the Republic of Leun
IC: Signed, the Republic of Leun
Rise of a Medical Prodigy
In history many people have come and gone. These people die in memory soon after theyve died physically. However, occasionally throughout history there are those who remembered. These people are remembered because theyve made some sort of contribution to their nation or even the wider world. One person whos certain to live on after death is Ahkyeelia. Her work revolutionized Rihnit Medical Knowledge. This is her story.
Its thought Ahkyeelia is of Savari-Alar background but its not certain. What is certain is that shes not of Rihnit background. Evidence of this is how her eyes are a deep brown coloration. Most Rihnit on the other hand, have hazel green eyes.
Regardless of her background, she from an early age seemed to have an interest in the unusual. For instance, she took an active interest in dissecting dead bodies and finding out what the human anatomy looked like and how it operated. Her tribe frowned upon her highly unusual interest.
The moment her life changed is when she noticed several siblings who went out raiding one day returned as completely different people. As they walked into the house she greeted them with a friendly hello.
But the brothers said in a demeaning and considering tone, yeah, yeah whatever. Another brother then followed up by saying, Now wheres my food?
She said, Im so sorry I forgot about it! Ill hurry up and make something right away.
Ahkyeelia, we expect food to be there every time we go on a raid, said one of the brothers. She then said while handing them each a bowl of food, here you go! I hope you enjoy it!
The brothers took one spoonful before saying, What is this? Why does it so nasty tasting?
She said, I gave you what you normally like, pieces of bread mixed with some veggies and chicken.
Well yeah it sucks! One of the brothers said.
Ahkyeelia then said, alright, if you dont like it thats fine. Ill just take it back. After all Im doing this because I want to and not because I have to.
One of the brothers started to become really angry, and his face became really red. He yelled, You know what? Forget it! Well find some other way to get our food.
He then spat at her and dumped the soup onto the floor. Her brothers decided they also dumped their food onto the floor. The brothers then started to laugh hysterically.
Ahkyeelia was greatly mystified, insulted, and horrified by how her brothers treated her so badly. So then she sought out the help of the high priest for advice and guidance.
Oh priest, why are my brothers treating me so poorly? Before the raid they all were extremely affectionate and sweet to me.
The priest replied, oh well it must just be a temporary thing. Im sure it will all come to an end.
Ahkyeelia doubtfully said, very well.
Little did she or the priest know, the priests prediction would end up being true. She turned her head as she was walking out and noticed how the priest was glaring at her. She knew that something else was going on. The next evening as she was dissecting the dead, like she normally does on her spare time she heard several yalps. Not thinking anything of it, she continued dissecting the dead bodies. When she walked back into her house though she found her dogs had been killed.
She gave out a loud shriek as she then ran to the temple. She noticed the pond in front of the temple had been covered in dead duck corpses. She also found everybody in her village at the temple. One of her brothers then said, This is why Ahkyeelia cant be allowed to live anymore! It was only a matter of time before she started to start killing the innocent.
In the background she noticed how two other of her brothers were chuckling. But then in the audience of people, somebody picked up a rams horn and blew into it. Out of the surrounding fields a group of Rihnit Soldiers started to charge into the village.
Ahkyeelia took this opportunity to start running and to find a place to hide. She found a place behind several large bushes in somebodys garden. Scared she waited there hoping the conflict would die down. But then, she caught the sight of a Rihnit Soldier. He could automatically tell that she was in complete and total terror. He then asked, Do you need help? He then trusted his hand downwards offering her a hand up.
She replied, No thank you! But look out behind you!
As the soldier turned he noticed that one of the brothers had taken his sword and slashed the soldier on the arm creating a massive gash. He tried fighting the brothers off. It seemed as if both the soldier and Ahkyeelia were doomed. However, Ahkyeelia realized that she had her shiv which she used to cut open dead bodies.
While all the brothers were able to land their final blow onto the soldier, Ahkyeelia snuck from behind and slit the throat of the oldest brother. The two younger brothers turned around when they saw their brother collapse to the ground. The both flinched for a brief second. This gave time for the soldier to use his sword to slash one of the younger brothers legs causing him to fall down. The other brother stretched his arm preparing to decapitate his sister. However, she ran up and sliced his throat open.
She then went up to the youngest brother who the soldier had been immobilized and cut his throat open too. She was about to walk away when she looked back and saw how the soldier that had rescued her was starting to bleed out. She came running back and said to him,
Im going to help you out! Just hang on a moment!
She then ran off for a few brief moments carrying a bag with her. The bag appeared to have something crawling inside of it. After setting the bag on a barrel located next to the soldier she went to one of her brothers bodies and ripped off several pieces of their clothing. She then took out a piece of yarn she had laying in her pocket along with a needle.
Meanwhile, the soldier looked at her confused by what she was doing. She then yelled to him, I need you to remain completely still and wear these blindfolds! Whatever you do, DO NOT remove your blindfolds! She then took one of the pieces of clothing she had torn from her brothers clothing and put it over his eyes.
Taking the bag full of maggots which she placed on the barrel, she opened it and poured the maggots into the massive gash that covered much of his arm. The soldier felt a wiggling sensation in his arm and panicked. But he couldnt resist and get away because he was too weak. She then took the thread and looked it through the needle.
She stuck the needle through his skin and started to sew together the large gash in his arm. She finally managed to sew it all together. But before she was finished looked near where she was sitting and saw a large ant hill. She took some of these ants and ripped off their heads. She then placed the ant heads onto his wound. Lastly, she took the other two pieces of clothing she took from her brothers clothing and used it as both a tunicate and a way to hide the wound.
The next morning the soldiers proceeded back to the village and looked for their comrade. One of the soldiers shouted while pointing to Ahkyeelias Hut, hes over here! When they all went in there they saw the soldier lying on his side being fed soup by Ahkyeelia.
One of the soldiers asked him, Are you alright? Has she hurt you in any way? The soldier replied with a weak sounding, no. The other soldiers brought both the rescued soldier and Ahkyeelia to the military encampment. She was lead to the entrance to the commanders tent. A guard told her, wait right here!
A moment of dialogue occurred between the wounded soldier and the commander before the solider whispered something into the guards ear. Then the guard looked at Ahkyeelia and said to her, you can now enter the commanders tent. Hes got a few questions for you.
She walked into the tent and the commander told the guard, thanks for bringing her in. I can deal with her from here.
Yes sir, said the guard, who then walked out of the tent.
The commander looked at Ahkyeelia and said to her, my son claims that you helped save him. Is that true?
Yes I did, she replied with a grin of satisfaction.
Im curious as to how you managed to save him. He claimed he was about to bleed out before you came. But somehow you managed to mend his wounds. So tell me, how did you manage to do this?
She said, Thats easy! I first put maggots inside his wound.
The commander roared, You did what?!?
I put maggots in his wounds because they eat dead skin. But dont worry! These maggots die off once theyre out of dead skin to consume.
Scratching his head he said, Continue on! Whats the next step?
I then used a needle and took a piece of yarn in my pocket and sewed his gash together.
Alright, did you do anything else?
She said, Then I took some ants, removed their heads and placed the ant heads onto his wound. As a means to help reinforce the stitches I sewed the gash together with.
The commander paused for a moment and said, very well, Im curious to the validity of your claims. So Im going to have you try to fix some of the wounds of my other soldiers who were wounded in battle.
Ahkyeelia did so and managed to sew together all the injured soldiers wounds. The commander was supremely impressed with the results of Ahkyeelias work. He then on, had Ahkyeelia go with him on every future military operation he did.
North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,165
Please remember to submit orders by the end of Friday, everyone. 
(Thank you to those who have already gotten them in.)
(Thank you to those who have already gotten them in.)
It is the belief of the Sarafaio of the Farubaida that we must clarify our status with the Holy Moti Empire.
Historically, let us look at our cooperation. Our allegiance stems from two things. The first was from the Union of Aitah, who pledged their loyalty to the Holy Moti Empire, the instrument of their liberation from the torments of the Satar. The second was the pledge of Raenacu, of the Faeoria Aramsayafa.
Raenacu came to the aid of Chief of Chiefs, Third-Gaci of the Moti, at a time when the rest of Faron stood idly. Alongside the Moti, the Faeoria Aramsayafa did battle against Xetares the Annihilator. Come the time of the Treda, he departed and rode to his homeland's defense. Of this great scion of the ruling Faeoria, many stories are told in the Empire of Helsia.
The young general, and many successive generations thereafter would struggle to restore order in the wake of the rape of Helsia. In time, the Aramsayafas would re-establish peace and order within the southlands. Never in this dark time was the Moti alliance forgotten.
Come to a more modern era, five nations have banded together as one. The Union of Aitah, the Kingdom of Neruss, the Empires of Dremai and Helsia, and the Councils of Faerouhaiaou stand united in the Federation of Caroha.
Just as was the case with its predecessors, Caroha has proven to be a loyal and dutiful ally of the Holy Moti Empire. The Ayasi's allegiance illuminates and protects us, and his word is ever met with respect and due regard.
However, before we act, we must know why it is that we fight.
It has long been the view of the Pentapartite Council that the nature has been one of allegiance, not one of servitude. It is our belief that we are allies, and that the Holy Moti Emperor is the unquestioned leader of our alliance. It is this belief that informs all of our actions in this matter.
We will act as free folk, aiding the Moti Emperor because it is honourable to do so as his allies.
We will not act as slaves, aiding the Moti Emperor merely because we shall be whipped should we do otherwise.
The binary question is now presented to you, Great Ayasi: Are we allies? Or are we slaves? Let your words be upheld by each and all of your successors, and respected by your compatriots in the Karapeshai.
Historically, let us look at our cooperation. Our allegiance stems from two things. The first was from the Union of Aitah, who pledged their loyalty to the Holy Moti Empire, the instrument of their liberation from the torments of the Satar. The second was the pledge of Raenacu, of the Faeoria Aramsayafa.
Raenacu came to the aid of Chief of Chiefs, Third-Gaci of the Moti, at a time when the rest of Faron stood idly. Alongside the Moti, the Faeoria Aramsayafa did battle against Xetares the Annihilator. Come the time of the Treda, he departed and rode to his homeland's defense. Of this great scion of the ruling Faeoria, many stories are told in the Empire of Helsia.
Spoiler The Departure of Raenacu from Third-Gaci in Magha :
The young general, and many successive generations thereafter would struggle to restore order in the wake of the rape of Helsia. In time, the Aramsayafas would re-establish peace and order within the southlands. Never in this dark time was the Moti alliance forgotten.
Come to a more modern era, five nations have banded together as one. The Union of Aitah, the Kingdom of Neruss, the Empires of Dremai and Helsia, and the Councils of Faerouhaiaou stand united in the Federation of Caroha.
Just as was the case with its predecessors, Caroha has proven to be a loyal and dutiful ally of the Holy Moti Empire. The Ayasi's allegiance illuminates and protects us, and his word is ever met with respect and due regard.
However, before we act, we must know why it is that we fight.
It has long been the view of the Pentapartite Council that the nature has been one of allegiance, not one of servitude. It is our belief that we are allies, and that the Holy Moti Emperor is the unquestioned leader of our alliance. It is this belief that informs all of our actions in this matter.
We will act as free folk, aiding the Moti Emperor because it is honourable to do so as his allies.
We will not act as slaves, aiding the Moti Emperor merely because we shall be whipped should we do otherwise.
The binary question is now presented to you, Great Ayasi: Are we allies? Or are we slaves? Let your words be upheld by each and all of your successors, and respected by your compatriots in the Karapeshai.
I, the Redeemer Metexares, issue the same request as the Sarifaio.
We accept that the current legal situation is ambiguous to some extent, as the Ayasi has declared, and that is all the more reason for our request.
We therefore call upon the Ayasi Sixth-Gaci to issue a definite proclamation, binding on himself and his successors, saying that we are free and not bound to either himself or to the Prince Talephas, and upon the Prince Talephas to confirm this declaration in person. Alternatively, we would have the Ayasi declare that we are not free.
But there can be no hedging any more in a matter of such importance: I and the Sarifaio must know, as our heralds have declared unto you, whether in the Ayasi's judgement we are subjects or allies, slaves or free. We must know whether we might stand united with the Ayasi in this, or whether we disagree and stand apart.
We accept that the current legal situation is ambiguous to some extent, as the Ayasi has declared, and that is all the more reason for our request.
We therefore call upon the Ayasi Sixth-Gaci to issue a definite proclamation, binding on himself and his successors, saying that we are free and not bound to either himself or to the Prince Talephas, and upon the Prince Talephas to confirm this declaration in person. Alternatively, we would have the Ayasi declare that we are not free.
But there can be no hedging any more in a matter of such importance: I and the Sarifaio must know, as our heralds have declared unto you, whether in the Ayasi's judgement we are subjects or allies, slaves or free. We must know whether we might stand united with the Ayasi in this, or whether we disagree and stand apart.
Lord of Elves
Suede-Denim Secret Police
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2009
- Messages
- 6,976
I am writing orders right meow.
das
Regeneration In Process
The Ayasi Sixth-Gaci affirms that the Kothari Exatai and Farubaida o Caroha are free; that their affiliation with the Holy Moti Empire is voluntary; and that he has no intention of infringing on their freedom, any more than his ancestors did. He is puzzled as to how there could be any misapprehension on those counts, but hopes that it will be cleared up now.
At the same time, he reiterates that while the Kothari Exatai and Farubaida o Caroha are free, their ties with the Holy Moti Empire cannot be denied. Those ties are based on past treaties and alliances as well as a general understanding, particularly with Farubaida o Caroha, about the mutual responsibilities of those powers. Such points can be discussed in more detail at a later time, as it does seem that they require some clarification. For now it should suffice to say that if the Ayasi asks for the Kothari and Farubaida to provide troops to his cause, he does not order it or invoke the terms of a specific treaty; but he hopes that they will come to his assistance in good will. Yet if they should refuse to send troops, then such a decision would not and could not be held against them in any way, unlike what would be the case if they were to actively support the Ayasi's enemies. The latter is a breach of all good faith, even more dire given the historic friendship that your representatives invoke; the former may have many reasons behind it and is wholly excusable.
At the same time, he reiterates that while the Kothari Exatai and Farubaida o Caroha are free, their ties with the Holy Moti Empire cannot be denied. Those ties are based on past treaties and alliances as well as a general understanding, particularly with Farubaida o Caroha, about the mutual responsibilities of those powers. Such points can be discussed in more detail at a later time, as it does seem that they require some clarification. For now it should suffice to say that if the Ayasi asks for the Kothari and Farubaida to provide troops to his cause, he does not order it or invoke the terms of a specific treaty; but he hopes that they will come to his assistance in good will. Yet if they should refuse to send troops, then such a decision would not and could not be held against them in any way, unlike what would be the case if they were to actively support the Ayasi's enemies. The latter is a breach of all good faith, even more dire given the historic friendship that your representatives invoke; the former may have many reasons behind it and is wholly excusable.
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
OOC: My orders will be in tonight for certain.
Arrow Gamer
America's Dictator
I'll try to get my orders in. We'll see.
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
IC:
Talephas, the Ruler of the North of the World, will not question how the Ruler of the South chooses to manage his affairs. How he treats with his subjects, considering them free or unfree, is his whim and his right.
It is beyond his concern, which lies with restoring order to the world. As such, Talephas does not see fit to concern himself with the Ayasi's diplomacy. The Prince Sianai spoke out of turn as plenipotentiary, though the Redeemer is concerned with the Kothari claim of the title of Ayasi and fears that it shall lead to future conflict.
-Veccis-ta-Veccai, Scribe to the Redeemer
Talephas, the Ruler of the North of the World, will not question how the Ruler of the South chooses to manage his affairs. How he treats with his subjects, considering them free or unfree, is his whim and his right.
It is beyond his concern, which lies with restoring order to the world. As such, Talephas does not see fit to concern himself with the Ayasi's diplomacy. The Prince Sianai spoke out of turn as plenipotentiary, though the Redeemer is concerned with the Kothari claim of the title of Ayasi and fears that it shall lead to future conflict.
-Veccis-ta-Veccai, Scribe to the Redeemer
The Redeemer, in concord with the Sarifaio, is satisfied with the declaration of the Ayasi.
The Ayasi should not be surprised that we doubted that he had no intention of infringing on our freedom, given that he appeared to unqualifiedly support a declaration by the Prince Talephas to the effect that we are his subjects. Immediately thereafter, with no suggestion that he was not calling on us as slaves - as Talephas would have us believe we are - the Ayasi called upon us to march with him. Nor did the Ayasi as such deny that we were his subjects when asked to clarify his judgement on the subject. This, on the face of it, was most disconcerting, and a prince of the Ayasi's wisdom can undoubtedly see this very clearly.
The Redeemer heartily repudiates Talephas's false assertions that we are free by the grace of the Ayasi in any sense. We are free because we are unsubjected and shall never be subjected.
Accordingly, we are despatching numerous forces to fight alongside the troops of our allies the Ayasi and the Farubaida.
The Ayasi should not be surprised that we doubted that he had no intention of infringing on our freedom, given that he appeared to unqualifiedly support a declaration by the Prince Talephas to the effect that we are his subjects. Immediately thereafter, with no suggestion that he was not calling on us as slaves - as Talephas would have us believe we are - the Ayasi called upon us to march with him. Nor did the Ayasi as such deny that we were his subjects when asked to clarify his judgement on the subject. This, on the face of it, was most disconcerting, and a prince of the Ayasi's wisdom can undoubtedly see this very clearly.
The Redeemer heartily repudiates Talephas's false assertions that we are free by the grace of the Ayasi in any sense. We are free because we are unsubjected and shall never be subjected.
Accordingly, we are despatching numerous forces to fight alongside the troops of our allies the Ayasi and the Farubaida.
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
The Low Trade
"I have seen more evil done under light than in darkness."
Talan the Elder, The Talani Fragments
Part One
---
Part Two: The Things We Do For Love
"Put two Satar in a room, and neither will rest until one counts himself Prince over the battered body of the other."
-Torono, apocryphal
---
476 RM
The rain drove down in sheets as they entered this latest, mud-stained spectacle of murder.
The crude wooden totems surrounding the village had equally crude wooden masks nailed to them, signifying that this people had turned from following the old sky gods to the new Mask God. And for that, the Vischa had punished them brutally.
Taexi and his men had been following this particular Vischa warband for almost two months, as they eluded every trap he set for them. Their enemy had used the cover of the Enguntithi rebellion to raid deep into the Xieni heartland, carving a path marked by bloodshed, rape, and distant trails of black smoke.
The Redeemer’s anger burned white-hot. They had caught three stragglers unhorsed, and Taexi had tortured them personally, reflecting his personal displeasure at how this situation was dragging on. But as the hiss of their burning flesh made little wreaths of smoke trail gently upwards in the rain, Taexi only felt his rage increase.
And now this. He saw a small foot sticking out from the dark portal of a doorway, covered in blood. He had seen and done worse, but seeing this happen to his loyal subjects was infuriating.
“Find survivors,” he ordered. “If there are dishonored women still alive, give them your mercy. Then chop the huts for dry wood. Move.”
His men fanned out, kicking open doors and speaking to each other in low, urgent tones. Many of them had been born in villages like this. If there were any Vischa still here, they would not die quickly.
While his men searched the village, Taexi cantered his horse away from the plateau of grassland on which it was built, towards the forest that crept ever closer to the ragged palisade that had been this people’s only defense.
Sian, he recalled one of his men saying. This village’s name was Sian. Gods, the rain, would it ever stop?
The forest was a normal forest, but Taexi knew that if there were survivors, they would have fled here. He just wanted to see for himself. He enjoyed going off in the forest sometimes, when he had time away from those fawning functionaries and stupid guards, alone with his thoughts, and –
“Hello there,” said Avetas.
Taexi pinched the bridge of his nose, beads of rain mixing with beads of sweat. “Nnnnnnn,” he groaned.
“They could be lying in wait for you right now, you know.” He gestured to a conspicuous bush. “I never let MY guard down, and I died old in my tent. Do you think you’ll get that far?” He chuckled to himself.
“Of course he will. You taught him everything he knows,” said his father Laeng, addressing Avetas in precise but accented Satar. “So in that sense, you are talking to yourself, Redeemer. More than usual, I mean.”
“Shut up and die, both of you,” said Taexi, dismounting and pushing through the undergrowth.
“I was tolerant with my subjects, even the ones in my own household,” said Laeng, his voice quiet as a whisper. “Was that a mistake, my so-called son?”
Avetas clapped his hand on Taexi’s shoulder, and he flinched. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just jealous of what we’ve built together.”
Taexi screamed, grabbing his head and slashing his sword at the visions. “GET! OUT!”
“That wasn’t strictly necessary,” said Avetas, and they both retreated into the shadows.
Taexi hadn’t been wandering aimlessly through the forest this entire time, but following the telltale marks of human tracks. Now, after several minutes of careful observance, he finally came upon his destination. A tiny spring trickled through a glade, shadowed by an overhang of rock that almost formed a cave.
Someone had propped up some sticks and daubed them with mud, forming a tiny, extremely crude habitation. It almost seemed too tiny…
He pushed aside some of the sticks, and gazed inside the hut, if it could even be called that. His face formed a mixture of disgust and amazement.
Crouching inside, and covered in mud, human waste, and blood, was a naked human child. He had the remnants of a bird’s corpse in his hand, its head missing. He had been eating it raw.
Taexi took a step forward. “Can you understand me?” he said in Satar, and then laughed to himself and rapidly switched to Xieni. “What is your name?”
The child stared at him, his eyes glassy and uncomprehending.
Taexi held up the vedas of Taleldil, preparing to kill the child for a demon if he flinched or hissed. But he just stared at the icon like it was a rock.
“Are you from the village? Are you…Sianai?” he said, using the Satar word for a person from Sian.
The boy blinked, and made a noise that sounded like assent. He held out his half-eaten bird corpse to Taexi.
“No…no thank you.” The Redeemer held out his black-gloved hand to the boy, who considered it for a moment as if it was a strange animal he did not understand, and then reached forward and grabbed it.
“I will call you Sianai, then,” said Taexi, pulling the boy up and out of his squalid little dwelling. “You’re lucky I found you. Here, I will bring you back to my encampment.” The boy merely stared at him.
Taexi sighed and picked him up. The boy didn’t struggle, though his hands tightened around his dead bird. “There will be food there for you. And perhaps clothes…though I doubt much will fit.”
“Wise choice,” said Avetas, as he walked away. The boy’s head soon drooped against his chest and he fell asleep. “The orphans are always the loyal ones. I would know, since I was one.”
“After your father ate Kargan,” said Laeng, shaking his head.
“Tch, you never leave me alone about that.”
Taexi ignored them, for the boy’s sake.
---
511 RM
"What is your low trade?” He was so focused on the play of her perfect lips, the wry way they were curved, how erotic it was when they were slightly parted, and his sheer joy that he was finally seeing her unmasked, that he didn’t even realize what she had said.
“What?” The deck pitched underneath them and they both almost stumbled. He had bought her a warship, its angular, raked hull the newest style, in return for a gift – this moment. It was a strange request, but he didn’t care. He would never lack for money, no matter how flagrantly he spent it.
“Your nazzevitto. I know every nuccios has one. The common trade that keeps them humble, that reminds them who they rule.”
Evvico smirked. “That custom was forced on us by your great-grandfather.”
Her smile vanished, and the look was worse than a storm.
“But of course, we still keep it. I still keep it,” he amended hastily. Her expression softened a bit. “I like to garden,” he said, slightly embarassed.
“You? Grow things that aren’t metallic and shiny?”
“I’m not my family, Tarecci.”
“Hah!” she smacked him playfully. “You are a Tepecci to the core. Opportunistic, yes, but always cautious. You wouldn’t know a real risk if it slapped you in the face.”
At that moment, he would have challenged Talephas himself to a duel to prove her wrong. But he composed his face into a neutral mask of vague disdain. Play the game, Evvico. Play the game.
“Maybe I’m capable of surprising you.”
She twisted a curly lock of hair around her finger. She knew what she was doing, oh she knew, and he knew she knew and he didn’t care.
“Perhaps if I believed that, I would have agreed to your proposal. The first time, or the second…or the seventh.” She giggled. “But I admire your tenacity.”
He spread his arms wide, being careful not to stagger as the deck pitched. Prince of the Sea and all.
“Test me, then. If it is within my power, it is yours.”
She stepped closer to him, and closer, until their bodies almost touched. And she lifted her lips to whisper in his ear.
“I want two things.”
“Name them.”
She trailed one finger down his arm. “I want a city.”
He would have gaped openly if it was anyone but her, but he managed to look only slightly incredulous. “A city.” Perhaps one of the other, more indebted princes would trade him a city if he forgave their debt.
“Yes, and I don’t just want any city. I want Alma.”
“Alma.” His blood ran cold. She didn’t know what she was saying.
“My birthright.”
“That city and all its revenues are controlled by Arteras. It passed to him through Taro, who got it from Zelarri after she married your great-grandfather, Arto Rutarri.”
“Thank you for the history lesson, little gardener,” she said, and he hoped for all the world that the night was dark enough to hide his blushing.
“An explanation of why that is impossible. Arteras would never concede Alma, his richest possession outside of Atracta.”
“But if he did, Evvico…and if Alma were mine, I would owe tribute to you. Think of what we could accomplish together.”
He shook his head. “Arteras would never give it up.”
“Well, you never asked me the second thing that I wanted.”
He laughed bitterly. “Why, when the first is already impossible?”
“Are you going to pout, or are you going to listen?”
He realized that he was in fact pouting, and rapidly shifted his facial features. “Of course, go on.”
“I want Prince Arteras dead.”
---
"I have seen more evil done under light than in darkness."
Talan the Elder, The Talani Fragments
Part One
---
Part Two: The Things We Do For Love
"Put two Satar in a room, and neither will rest until one counts himself Prince over the battered body of the other."
-Torono, apocryphal
---
476 RM
The rain drove down in sheets as they entered this latest, mud-stained spectacle of murder.
The crude wooden totems surrounding the village had equally crude wooden masks nailed to them, signifying that this people had turned from following the old sky gods to the new Mask God. And for that, the Vischa had punished them brutally.
Taexi and his men had been following this particular Vischa warband for almost two months, as they eluded every trap he set for them. Their enemy had used the cover of the Enguntithi rebellion to raid deep into the Xieni heartland, carving a path marked by bloodshed, rape, and distant trails of black smoke.
The Redeemer’s anger burned white-hot. They had caught three stragglers unhorsed, and Taexi had tortured them personally, reflecting his personal displeasure at how this situation was dragging on. But as the hiss of their burning flesh made little wreaths of smoke trail gently upwards in the rain, Taexi only felt his rage increase.
And now this. He saw a small foot sticking out from the dark portal of a doorway, covered in blood. He had seen and done worse, but seeing this happen to his loyal subjects was infuriating.
“Find survivors,” he ordered. “If there are dishonored women still alive, give them your mercy. Then chop the huts for dry wood. Move.”
His men fanned out, kicking open doors and speaking to each other in low, urgent tones. Many of them had been born in villages like this. If there were any Vischa still here, they would not die quickly.
While his men searched the village, Taexi cantered his horse away from the plateau of grassland on which it was built, towards the forest that crept ever closer to the ragged palisade that had been this people’s only defense.
Sian, he recalled one of his men saying. This village’s name was Sian. Gods, the rain, would it ever stop?
The forest was a normal forest, but Taexi knew that if there were survivors, they would have fled here. He just wanted to see for himself. He enjoyed going off in the forest sometimes, when he had time away from those fawning functionaries and stupid guards, alone with his thoughts, and –
“Hello there,” said Avetas.
Taexi pinched the bridge of his nose, beads of rain mixing with beads of sweat. “Nnnnnnn,” he groaned.
“They could be lying in wait for you right now, you know.” He gestured to a conspicuous bush. “I never let MY guard down, and I died old in my tent. Do you think you’ll get that far?” He chuckled to himself.
“Of course he will. You taught him everything he knows,” said his father Laeng, addressing Avetas in precise but accented Satar. “So in that sense, you are talking to yourself, Redeemer. More than usual, I mean.”
“Shut up and die, both of you,” said Taexi, dismounting and pushing through the undergrowth.
“I was tolerant with my subjects, even the ones in my own household,” said Laeng, his voice quiet as a whisper. “Was that a mistake, my so-called son?”
Avetas clapped his hand on Taexi’s shoulder, and he flinched. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just jealous of what we’ve built together.”
Taexi screamed, grabbing his head and slashing his sword at the visions. “GET! OUT!”
“That wasn’t strictly necessary,” said Avetas, and they both retreated into the shadows.
Taexi hadn’t been wandering aimlessly through the forest this entire time, but following the telltale marks of human tracks. Now, after several minutes of careful observance, he finally came upon his destination. A tiny spring trickled through a glade, shadowed by an overhang of rock that almost formed a cave.
Someone had propped up some sticks and daubed them with mud, forming a tiny, extremely crude habitation. It almost seemed too tiny…
He pushed aside some of the sticks, and gazed inside the hut, if it could even be called that. His face formed a mixture of disgust and amazement.
Crouching inside, and covered in mud, human waste, and blood, was a naked human child. He had the remnants of a bird’s corpse in his hand, its head missing. He had been eating it raw.
Taexi took a step forward. “Can you understand me?” he said in Satar, and then laughed to himself and rapidly switched to Xieni. “What is your name?”
The child stared at him, his eyes glassy and uncomprehending.
Taexi held up the vedas of Taleldil, preparing to kill the child for a demon if he flinched or hissed. But he just stared at the icon like it was a rock.
“Are you from the village? Are you…Sianai?” he said, using the Satar word for a person from Sian.
The boy blinked, and made a noise that sounded like assent. He held out his half-eaten bird corpse to Taexi.
“No…no thank you.” The Redeemer held out his black-gloved hand to the boy, who considered it for a moment as if it was a strange animal he did not understand, and then reached forward and grabbed it.
“I will call you Sianai, then,” said Taexi, pulling the boy up and out of his squalid little dwelling. “You’re lucky I found you. Here, I will bring you back to my encampment.” The boy merely stared at him.
Taexi sighed and picked him up. The boy didn’t struggle, though his hands tightened around his dead bird. “There will be food there for you. And perhaps clothes…though I doubt much will fit.”
“Wise choice,” said Avetas, as he walked away. The boy’s head soon drooped against his chest and he fell asleep. “The orphans are always the loyal ones. I would know, since I was one.”
“After your father ate Kargan,” said Laeng, shaking his head.
“Tch, you never leave me alone about that.”
Taexi ignored them, for the boy’s sake.
---
511 RM
"What is your low trade?” He was so focused on the play of her perfect lips, the wry way they were curved, how erotic it was when they were slightly parted, and his sheer joy that he was finally seeing her unmasked, that he didn’t even realize what she had said.
“What?” The deck pitched underneath them and they both almost stumbled. He had bought her a warship, its angular, raked hull the newest style, in return for a gift – this moment. It was a strange request, but he didn’t care. He would never lack for money, no matter how flagrantly he spent it.
“Your nazzevitto. I know every nuccios has one. The common trade that keeps them humble, that reminds them who they rule.”
Evvico smirked. “That custom was forced on us by your great-grandfather.”
Her smile vanished, and the look was worse than a storm.
“But of course, we still keep it. I still keep it,” he amended hastily. Her expression softened a bit. “I like to garden,” he said, slightly embarassed.
“You? Grow things that aren’t metallic and shiny?”
“I’m not my family, Tarecci.”
“Hah!” she smacked him playfully. “You are a Tepecci to the core. Opportunistic, yes, but always cautious. You wouldn’t know a real risk if it slapped you in the face.”
At that moment, he would have challenged Talephas himself to a duel to prove her wrong. But he composed his face into a neutral mask of vague disdain. Play the game, Evvico. Play the game.
“Maybe I’m capable of surprising you.”
She twisted a curly lock of hair around her finger. She knew what she was doing, oh she knew, and he knew she knew and he didn’t care.
“Perhaps if I believed that, I would have agreed to your proposal. The first time, or the second…or the seventh.” She giggled. “But I admire your tenacity.”
He spread his arms wide, being careful not to stagger as the deck pitched. Prince of the Sea and all.
“Test me, then. If it is within my power, it is yours.”
She stepped closer to him, and closer, until their bodies almost touched. And she lifted her lips to whisper in his ear.
“I want two things.”
“Name them.”
She trailed one finger down his arm. “I want a city.”
He would have gaped openly if it was anyone but her, but he managed to look only slightly incredulous. “A city.” Perhaps one of the other, more indebted princes would trade him a city if he forgave their debt.
“Yes, and I don’t just want any city. I want Alma.”
“Alma.” His blood ran cold. She didn’t know what she was saying.
“My birthright.”
“That city and all its revenues are controlled by Arteras. It passed to him through Taro, who got it from Zelarri after she married your great-grandfather, Arto Rutarri.”
“Thank you for the history lesson, little gardener,” she said, and he hoped for all the world that the night was dark enough to hide his blushing.
“An explanation of why that is impossible. Arteras would never concede Alma, his richest possession outside of Atracta.”
“But if he did, Evvico…and if Alma were mine, I would owe tribute to you. Think of what we could accomplish together.”
He shook his head. “Arteras would never give it up.”
“Well, you never asked me the second thing that I wanted.”
He laughed bitterly. “Why, when the first is already impossible?”
“Are you going to pout, or are you going to listen?”
He realized that he was in fact pouting, and rapidly shifted his facial features. “Of course, go on.”
“I want Prince Arteras dead.”
---
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
Ugh, unfortunately due to reasons (like needing to push these stories along before the update) I really would like to finish up my orders in the morning rather than sending them half-completed.
Yes, I know, I suck NK.
Yes, I know, I suck NK.
One more post so the update gets the top of the next page...
Edit: And a story!
Many years ago, there was a mouse. There have always been mice, but this mouse was Different, or so they say. This mouse was a Mouse. That meant he was very important. The most important mouse ever, was the Mouse. And mice are not typically very important at all, save to other mice.
The Mouse, as he was called, because mice do not have names, lived in a house on a mountain. And that house was made of gold and jewels and cheese and all the most precious things known to mice. And the Mouse was content, for he thought he had everything. And the other mice who lived with the Mouse in his house thought the Mouse would protect them.
But the world is a dangerous place for mice, Mouse and mouse alike. And even if you are the Mouse, you cannot fight an eagle or an owl or a cat. You can only run away. Mice who do not run, who stand and fight, will be eaten, no matter the gold and jewels and cheese they have in their houses. Thus a mouse must always be vigilant to the outside world, and not complacent.
Yet the Mouse was complacent. Long had he lived without bother from eagle or owl or cat, and long had the mice who lived with him in his house full of gold and jewels and cheese done the same. And they forgot that eagles and owls and cats could harm them, so convinced were they that their wealth had elevated them above the harms of the world.
Then one day, an owl—not the Owl, but only an owl—spotted the Mouse outside of his house. The Mouse was still close by his house, and the owl saw the house, too. And the gleam of the gold and the jewels told owl that this was the Mouse, not an ordinary mouse, and that he was rich and important beyond measure. At first, the owl thought to himself that he could not eat this mouse, this Mouse. Surely, such a rich mouse, a Mouse, the Mouse, would not venture out alone and unprotected.
Yet, as the day wore on, the Mouse, still not looking around to defend himself, wandered further and further from his house. And the owl wondered where the Mouse was hiding his defenses. For he knew that no mouse, not even the Mouse, could stand up to an owl on his own. Surely the Mouse, of such great importance, would defend himself. Doubt gnawed at the owl, who was by now very hungry.
So the owl decided to see for himself where the Mouse hid his defenses. He glided down, and he landed right in front of the Mouse. The Mouse, who had just turned to head back to his house, jumped into the air at the sight of the owl, but then he pulled together his courage and said, “Do you know who I am, owl? I am the Mouse! The most important of mice. Do not stand in my way.”
And so the owl turned his head all the way around, as owls do, and leaned over to look closely at the Mouse. “And why does that mean I should not stand in your way?” he asked.
“Because I am important, and my house is made of gold and jewels and cheese, and with my wealth I will resist you.”
At that, the owl wondered. Resist me how? he thought. Easy enough to test.
And so the owl swooped out a talon, and grabbed the Mouse. The Mouse squealed and squirmed, but he could not even get a word out. And the owl lifted the Mouse to his beak and bit his head clean off.
And all the wealth in the world, and a home made of gold and jewels and cheese, and a sense of importance a mile high, could not save the Mouse from the mightier owl. So it is wise to remember, for all days.
—Excerpt from an ancient compendium of tales, in the collection of the National Museum at Eko-un, translated from the Old Trahana in the year 3476, A.R.
Edit: And a story!
Many years ago, there was a mouse. There have always been mice, but this mouse was Different, or so they say. This mouse was a Mouse. That meant he was very important. The most important mouse ever, was the Mouse. And mice are not typically very important at all, save to other mice.
The Mouse, as he was called, because mice do not have names, lived in a house on a mountain. And that house was made of gold and jewels and cheese and all the most precious things known to mice. And the Mouse was content, for he thought he had everything. And the other mice who lived with the Mouse in his house thought the Mouse would protect them.
But the world is a dangerous place for mice, Mouse and mouse alike. And even if you are the Mouse, you cannot fight an eagle or an owl or a cat. You can only run away. Mice who do not run, who stand and fight, will be eaten, no matter the gold and jewels and cheese they have in their houses. Thus a mouse must always be vigilant to the outside world, and not complacent.
Yet the Mouse was complacent. Long had he lived without bother from eagle or owl or cat, and long had the mice who lived with him in his house full of gold and jewels and cheese done the same. And they forgot that eagles and owls and cats could harm them, so convinced were they that their wealth had elevated them above the harms of the world.
Then one day, an owl—not the Owl, but only an owl—spotted the Mouse outside of his house. The Mouse was still close by his house, and the owl saw the house, too. And the gleam of the gold and the jewels told owl that this was the Mouse, not an ordinary mouse, and that he was rich and important beyond measure. At first, the owl thought to himself that he could not eat this mouse, this Mouse. Surely, such a rich mouse, a Mouse, the Mouse, would not venture out alone and unprotected.
Yet, as the day wore on, the Mouse, still not looking around to defend himself, wandered further and further from his house. And the owl wondered where the Mouse was hiding his defenses. For he knew that no mouse, not even the Mouse, could stand up to an owl on his own. Surely the Mouse, of such great importance, would defend himself. Doubt gnawed at the owl, who was by now very hungry.
So the owl decided to see for himself where the Mouse hid his defenses. He glided down, and he landed right in front of the Mouse. The Mouse, who had just turned to head back to his house, jumped into the air at the sight of the owl, but then he pulled together his courage and said, “Do you know who I am, owl? I am the Mouse! The most important of mice. Do not stand in my way.”
And so the owl turned his head all the way around, as owls do, and leaned over to look closely at the Mouse. “And why does that mean I should not stand in your way?” he asked.
“Because I am important, and my house is made of gold and jewels and cheese, and with my wealth I will resist you.”
At that, the owl wondered. Resist me how? he thought. Easy enough to test.
And so the owl swooped out a talon, and grabbed the Mouse. The Mouse squealed and squirmed, but he could not even get a word out. And the owl lifted the Mouse to his beak and bit his head clean off.
And all the wealth in the world, and a home made of gold and jewels and cheese, and a sense of importance a mile high, could not save the Mouse from the mightier owl. So it is wise to remember, for all days.
—Excerpt from an ancient compendium of tales, in the collection of the National Museum at Eko-un, translated from the Old Trahana in the year 3476, A.R.
