ScrollAndSwordCircle/BrassMuskrat
Contents
The Circle Gathers Once More
The Scroll and Sword Circle is once again reunited in its entirty as all five members gather in the Bazaar of Heaven. Sitting under a blue and gold pavillion, the five Sidereals are waited on by Malic's servant elementals and kept company by Forge and Burning Ember. They have been catching up on news, the men informing the women of their accomplishments in regards to the ghost and his information, Gia telling them of her new mastery of the Air Dragon Style, Moth brooding silently... Arkadi being a sodding arsehole...
"So... what did you learn from this ghost, exactly?" asks Moth.
"He gave us the name of Eye's operative in the region," replies Malic. "From him we should be able to get more."
"So do we have a plan for how we're going to extract said information?" inquires Gia.
"We could just have you charm your way into his confidences with your sublime social skills," suggests Malic. Ember, meanwhile, is sitting on her cushion and sipping her drink, looking confused.
"There's always good cop, bad cop..." suggests Arkadi.
"I think we're a bit overstaffed for that one, Arkadi," says Moth.
Gia bites her tongue to keep from commenting on Arkadi's suggestion. Osprey sips his tea, listening to the others talk.
"God cop, bad cops?" tries Arkadi.
"I don't think we can convince a good cop to come with us," Malic deadpans.
"...funny." Arkadi pauses a moment to strike a match. "I'm simply rolling in the aisle with laughter here." Arkadi lights his cigar. Gia coughs and wrinkles her nose.
Osprey sets down his cup. "It also seems unlikely that we would be able to intimidate one of a Deathlord's personal assistants."
"Why don't we go down and check him out first, so we know what we're dealing with?" Malic proposes.
"We seem to have had luck with making it up as we go along thus far, I suppose," says Gia.
Malic snickers. "Us, Sidereals, working on luck.."
Burning Ember looks broody over her cup of spiced wine. Then she perks up, looking to Malic. "Can I come with you, back to Creation?"
Gia grins at Malic.
Malic blinks. Looks at the others. Moth shrugs.
"What're you lookin' at me for?" demands Arkadi.
"I remember it was a little odd. My first stay here." The furnace rhino grunts.
"Well, you were a rhinocerous," Malic points out.
"A little?" sputters Arkadi. "The first thing I saw here was a bipedal nightengale wearing a ball gown."
"But I don't see any reason for you not to come, Ember. It may become dangerous, however," Malic cautions the Terrestrial. "You can see that in Creation, too," he replies to Arkadi.
"Perhaps if you're a disciple of Burning Feather," says Gia.
"Or if you get invited to the good parties," adds Moth.
"Well, regardless. Let's get going. Do you need to change or something, Ember?" asks Malic.
"Um.." Ember looks at her fine silk gown.
Gia nudges Osprey in the ribs, obviously trying not to laugh. Arkadi arches an eyebrow.
"That's something I should do again..." muses Malic. "I havent gotten invited to a party recently.."
"...what's a party?" asks Arkadi.
"The things people do when you leave," retorts Malic.
"Laugh it up, funny boy..."
Ember makes up her mind. "I don't think I should be...out...in this, no. I'll catch up."
"Forge, if you'll escort Ember to the Gateway, we'll head on out," says Malic.
The rhino snorts. "Certainly."
Osprey stands and makes to leave. Malic follows Osprey out, pondering ways to get invited to a party. Moth rises and leaves with them. Gia follows as well, pondering throwing a party when this is all over... a party to which Arkadi will probably not be invited.
"Arkadi, stop sulking about your lack of party and come on," admonishes Malic.
Arkadi blinks, shrugs, and gets up. He puffs away, shoves his hands in his pockets, and proceeds along behind the others.
About an hour later the five Sidereals disembark from Malic's Dragon-Boat and stand before the Gate to Kirighast, waiting for Forge and Ember to arrive before leaving Heaven. The dog-spirits guarding the gate recognize the men from a few days ago, and greet them amicably.
"Hey guys," Arkadi greets them. "How's the shift?"
"Hello," the dogs bark back. "Heading back into the dirty world?"
"We are. It's our job and all," Malic reminds them. "Still standing in front of a door?"
"Shift's been quiet. None of that...silliness...we've been having lately."
"Silliness?" asks Malic.
"Like Lions tripping and eating sidereals?" suggests Arkadi.
Osprey's attention focuses onto the golden dog at the mention of "silliness."
"You know. Silliness." They make studiously dismissive gestures.
"Ah, right...silliness," says Arkadi.
"Are you all ready to ship out?" One of the dogs begins to glow.
"Pretty much," says Arkadi.
Osprey gives Gia a significant glance. "Some secrets to uncover when we return, perhaps," he murmurs. Gia nods quietly. He turns to the dogs. "Yes, honorable guardians." He bows politely.
Forge arrives in a small cloud of dust, Ember astride his back. "Sorry we're late, boss. Fancy-pants here wanted to get a saddle."
"Business...or personal?" speculates Arkadi.
"These two will be coming with us," Osprey informs the dogs. "Personal servants of brother Malic."
"Very well. Please sign these papers, and you'll be on your way." They hand over a short scroll which says, "My name is..."
Osprey signs the proper spots, after cursorily scanning the documents to see that they follow the usual forms. Malic signs them as well, being the patron of the two. The Gate opens with a sigh.
Malic goes in last of all, having to fill out paperwork. He takes these few moments of unthinking activity to scan Ember's new attire
"Hey, have a good day you guys..." Arkadi pats the nearest guardian on the shoulder. "Buy you a drink when I get back." They growl amicably. He tromps on through.
Malic signs the last paper with a flourish and heads on, waving cheerily! "Enjoy your stand, men."
Osprey strides through the gate, emerging beneath the waterfall.
"...forgot my damn umbrella...figures," Arkadi grumbles.
"It's nice and cool. And it gives you a free shower." Malic steps through, looking happy.
Gia hurries through quickly, wincing at the shower. Her hair is going to frizz, she just knows it.
Moth wrinkles her nose looking at the water. Malic flicks a fistfull of water at her chest; she sidesteps it nimbly, frowning at Malic.
Arkadi grabs Mal's wrist. "Please try to act your age, not your intelligence."
Moth bends over momentarily, drawing her hands along the ground, and tears up a section of shadow as she rises. She folds it over her head as a makeshift umbrella as she passes under the waterfall, then tosses the soaked shadow aside. The shadow umbrella quickly dissolves in the pale dawn light.
"Well then I'd be acting arthritic and senile," retorts Malic. "I'm 50-something." Arkadi rolls his eyes and lets go of Mal's wrist.
Malic offers his now-free hand to Ember to prevent her from slipping on the wet stone.
Gia stage-whispers to Moth. "Boys." Moth smiles at her.
Ignoring his colleagues' antics, Osprey walks around the edge of the waterfall, joining Moth by the side of the stream.
Arkadi exhales and sucks in the fresh air "Goddamn, it's good to be out of that place..."
"We are fortunate to live in such a magnificent place, Arkadi," Gia scolds him. "Mortals would kill for the life you have. Quit cursing, and let's get to work."
Arkadi rolls his eyes some more.
Malic strips off his shirt and squeezes most of the water out of it. "My hat's all wet.." He looks forlornly at his hat.
Osprey waits patiently for everyone to get the foolishness out of their systems.
Malic starts walking toward Kirighast, still trying to dry his shirt and hat. Arkadi adjusts his pack, and marches on. Moth sighs, and starts walking.
Malic feels something on his arm. It's Ember. "Here, let me help you with that." She takes the shirt and holds it in her hand for a few moments, until steam starts to come out of it.
"Huh...wish I could do that.." says Arkadi. "I'd never be at a loss for a light again."
Malic smiles at the Fire-Aspect. "Thanks Ember." Pulling the shirt back on, Malic puts his hat on her head and an arm around her shoulder as they walk. Ember looks a little surprised, but soon settles in.
Gia catches up to Osprey. "Looks like Malic has found more uses for his young lady than we thought." She smirks slightly.
"She certainly seems to be taking to him," Osprey admits.
Arkadi shrugs. "Stranger things have happened."
Osprey addresses the group as they walk along the road, the dawning sun casting long shadows behind them. "We should find some way of travelling faster. The prospect of walking hundreds of miles to Kirighast... does not appeal to me."
"Agreed," says Moth.
"Come on! I'll race you." Gia grins.
Malic lets a little of his Essence seep outward, coallessing into an amber glow in the shape of Mercury's Mark on his brow. The rest of the Circle walks as if stepping through glowing yellow water, sending tiny ripples out with every movement. Following a line no one else sees, Malic takes the lead. "Mercury will guide us to the fastest route."
"Hey, I'm built for endurance, not speed, babe," brags Arkadi. "No contest. Might I just suggest we buy some horses and a wagon from a nearby town to help speed things along?"
Osprey jogs along beside Malic. Malic makes his pace easily on his long legs. As a..trader..Malic is used to long distance travel in adverse conditions. Story of his life, really.
Gia shrugs and settles in for a leisurely jog, more than willing to let Mercury do the work. Moth moans softly, realizing she'll have to jog to catch up. Arkadi is used to walking long distances; he'll be juuust fine.
Taking note of Moth's distress, Osprey speaks to Malic. "While Mercury's blessing is helpful, perhaps we should look for a better mode of travel than our own feet. We could treat with one of the local gods; surely one of them would be willing to speed our passage, for a price."
The Trading Post
Interestingly, Arkadi's suggestion comes to pass - a short while after the Circle begins to run, they find themselves at a trading post. The trading post seems to be rather... understocked... and empty.
Moth sighs. Osprey jogs down to a halt. Even after the long run, he barely looks fatigued.
"And...so. This worked out well," says Malic.
"...well CRAP," curses Arkadi. "This just sucks."
Gia tries not to look fatigued, or disappointed by the lack of an easier mode of transport.
"If Moth and Gia can't walk, Forge will carry them. It might look a little odd.." Malic looks at the big rhino-god.
"I'm fine, Malic. Let's go. I don't even need to rest." Gia smiles winningly and demurely wipes a bead of sweat from her brow.
"Is there something here?" Ember looks a little puzzled at Malic's choice of destination.
Gia surreptitiously looks around for some water and a soft place to sit. Her muscles are screaming.
"They wanted to come here..." says Malic.
"This seems curious. I wonder why this trading post is abandoned? Perhaps we should rest here, and look around a bit?" Osprey studiously avoids looking like he notices the two women's windedness.
"Maybe Mercury is trying to tell him something," Forge mutters mysteriously.
Malic starts looking around, wondering what in the world Mercury finds of interest in this place.
"I... think that's a good idea, Osprey." Moth leans against Forge, breathing heavily and looking uncomfortable.
"Are you two okay?" asks Arkadi.
Moth fans herself with one hand. "Just... fine."
Arkadi tosses her his canteen. "Sit down, take a breather."
"I think you shouldn't look around too much, Brother Osprey. Sit and relax." Gia gestures to a bench against the wall.
"I'll try to find some water for you and Gia...and Osprey.." notes the sweat darkening Osprey's tunic. Whistling a Southern dirge to himself, Malic saunters off into the post to look around. Osprey sits down, unslinging his daiklave.
Moth gratefully takes a drink.
"Leave some for Gia, too..." says Arkadi.
Ember cheerfully takes out a mirror and drops some sand on it.
"I'm fine, but thank you." Gia takes a sip of water to wet her parched throat before handing it back to Malic.
Arkadi, bastard that he is, doesn't look tired at all...he's not even SWEATING. "Well, at least we got a nice day to walk in..."
Malic looks just fine, though his dry shirt is a bit dark again. Ember, on the other hand, looks as if she never moved a step.
Osprey undoes his cloak and rubs his shoulder; it's obviously a bit stiff. He inspects his sword's baldric, and adjusts it for a more comfortable fit.
Gia rubs Osprey's shoulder. "Here, this might help." She leans in to whisper. "Would you please do me an odd favor?"
"Boss, you might want to get a look at this." Ember is watching the grains of sand shift around on her mirror.
"Hm?" Osprey leans a bit closer, to catch Gia's whisper.
Malic trots over to Ember to look in her mirror as well. "What?"
"Just.. Don't look behind you. Not now, not until we leave," Gua murmurs. "I know it sounds strange, but it's for the best." Osprey furrows his brow, but nods slightly.
"There's someone pointing and laughing at you," Ember tells Malic. "See?" In the mirror is the reflection of a portly man with pockmarked skin, wearing extremely fine clothing.
The god produces a manifestation in hazy lights. "You've found my trading post!"
Moth raises an eyebrow at the lights.
"What do you trade, dust?" asks Gia. Trusting her warning, Osprey does not turn to look at the voice.
"Kind of hard to miss, isn't it?" asks Arkadi. "There's field...more field...and mroe field...then BOOM! Trading post."
"There's forest too," observes Malic.
Arkadi cracks wise. "Eh, I couldn't see it for the trees."
Moth squints at the lights.
"We require your aid, Trade God. We must reach Kirighast with all possible haste. If you help us, we could be persuaded to help return some...life to this place." Malic smiles, not unkindly but not with too much friendship. The smile of a prospective buisness partner trying to get the best bargain.
The god chuckles at Arkadi's "joke", and then gestures to a table. "I would be glad to discuss a bargain. Here, sit. I will make coffee."
Malic seats himself. "That would be pleasant."
The god pours water into a tall, long-necked brass pitcher and sets it on a fire. As he does so, he becomes more substantial, and things appear on the walls that were not there before.
Osprey gives Gia a quizzical look. She sits next to himand whispers. "A small god past his prime. You're not missing much." Osprey nods.
Arkadi gets the impression he's gonna be zonign out soon...business talk, *boring*
"So, traveller," the spirit gets down to business. "How can you help me?" He pours cups of coffee for all present, including Forge, whose cup is extra-large. Forge snorts and takes his human shape to enjoy his coffee.
Malic guestures to the still-visible sign of Mercury glowing amber on his forehead. "With a bit of work, a few favors, trade could return to this place. Of course, doing so is problematic and favors are a valuable commodity. So we would need your help in arriving at our destination to be rather dramatic.
"Very good coffee, by the way."
"Ah, I see, you're Chosen. Thank you; I'm told this is an excellent vintage." They notice the god has no tongue.
Arkadi takes a sip. "Not bad...not strong enough, though."
Gia murmurs the description of the god to Osprey, including the fact he has no tongue.
"I think I can help you," says the god. "Have you ever heard of the Dragonflies of the Hollow Mountain?"
"No," replies Malic.
"Not particularly," says Arkadi.
Moth shakes her head and sips some coffee.
He takes a book from a shelf and rifles through it. "Here they are." The engraving depicts three men astride a gigantic insect with eight or ten wings. "These beasts live a few leagues away. It's said they are difficult to tame, but they make excellent, swift mounts."
"Wait...we're gonna fly these things?" asks Arkadi.
"I can tame them," the spirit assures him.
Moth licks her lips thoughtfully.
Osprey stands up, addressing the others without turning to look at them. "If you will excuse me, I feel the need for some fresh air." He ducks out the door without waiting for a response. As he stands up, Osprey brushes Gia's hand with his, seemingly accidentally.
"...we're...gonna be FLYING these things?" Arkadi still seems to have trouble believing it.
"Don't be scared, Arkadi. I'll protect you." Gia grins ruthlessly before following Osprey outside. Arkadi mutters 'bitch' to himself as he sips his coffee. Moth watches them go, blinking, then turns back to the bargaining table and sips her coffee.
"If these Dragonflies aren't too far away and you can get 'em fast enough..it'll work just fine," says Malic. "And we'll see about getting you some customers. That work for you?"
"Done. Now all we have to do is summon the Dragonflies. We'll need to go a bit closer to the mountain before the summoning will work..."
Moth starts to say something, then shuts up.
Osprey Reveals a Secret
The sun has fully cleared the horizon by now; the sky is blue and clear, but puffy stormclouds are gathering to the South. Osprey walks around the corner; Gia catches up to him in an empty outbuilding which looks like it has not been a stable for at least a month.
"Hey, what's going on?" she asks.
Malic nods. "Give my companions a few minutes to recover and we can leave. I didn't catch your name..?"
"We should not trust this god." Osprey gets straight to the point. "His name is Brass Muskrat, lately called the Tongueless. He was a god of fur traders in my homeland."
"Brass Muskrat. Yourself?"
"I am Malic."
Gia frowns at Osprey. "I trust your judgement, but.. Do you really think he would cross an entire circle of Chosen?"
Osprey shrugs slightly. "He cares only for profit. If he thought he could escape judgment, he would betray any confidence."
"Well.. I will admit that I have no real wish to walk thousands more miles, but I have even less wish to get eaten by dragonflies. I'll go talk to the others."
"He did so with the gods of my people; when they refused to let him put his wealth before the good of the land, he plotted to upset the balance of power between teh tribes, and bring in foreign trappers." Osprey glowers. "I was fortunate enough to catch wind of his plans in Yu-Shan, and inform the gods of the Ten Tribes. For his duplicity, they cut out his lying tongue and cast him out of the East. He apparently found his way here.
"No doubt he thinks that these dragonflies of the Hollow Mountain will somehow help him become rich. I would not be surprised if there happens to be an enemy of his standing between us and them."
"Ahhh. So that explains the strange instructions of Jupiter." Gia frowns. "At some point this God is going to see you. I think it's best we leave his domain before that happens."
Osprey nods, and flips up his cloak collar, hiding the lower half of his face. "The arcane fate may have clouded his memory, but he has always been known as one who holds grudges. It may be that his thirst for revenge has overcome even the Mask's power."
Malic leaves the god to himself as he goes to check on Osprey and Gia. Moth sits awkwardly with Muskrat and Arkadi.
"Well, it's too bad we don't have an ACTUAL mask for you. Staying out of sight for as long as possible will have to do." Gia turns to see Malic walking up. "We can't trust this god."
Arkadi sighs. "...I've jumped from rooftop to rooftop...I once used a clothesline to swign from a roof to a third story window... But FLYING?!"
"Osprey? What's wrong with you?" asks Malic.
"I know Brass Muskrat from before my Exaltation," Osprey tells him.
"You don't seem to be jumping in your boots at a chance to fly, Arkadi." Forge has slipped back into rhino shape.
"Do I look like I'm built for flight?"
"You are a bit... heavy," observes Moth.
Osprey goes on. "He betrayed the oaths he had sworn with the other gods of my homeland, in a bid to gain riches and power. As far as I know, his tongue is still kept as a trophy by Red Cougar."
"Precisely!" exclaims Arkadi. "I like the ground! It's solid, and it doesn't hurt you...unless you plummet from a great height."
"Do you think he would betray us when our payment is to be rendered after his?" asks Malic.
"I feel certain that he means to use us somehow; in any case, sister Gia has felt that it would be inauspicious for him to recognize me."
"Well, Mercury led us here..this is the fastest way. But we can find another. I will leave it to you."
Osprey nods to Malic. "Either that, or the method of obtaining these dragonflies will work more to his advantage than ours."
Arkadi sighs again. "I like walking..less chances of plummeting to a horrid death from a great height."
"It's rather... slow, though." Moth refrains from mentioning the exhaustion and sweat.
"Yeah, I know..."
Gia ponders for a moment. "Do you suppose there's a way to double-cross him? Get his help without doing it his way?"
Osprey shakes his head. "We need to travel more quickly, that much is certain." He folds his arms and regards his companions. "Let us see what gaining the services of these dragonflies will really entail, and then make a decision."
Gia sighs heavily. "I have an idea." She wrinkles her nose, much like she did when Arkadi lit his cigar. "I'll be back." She leaves to go find the god and their friends.
Osprey looks curiously at Gia as she leaves. Osprey looks at Malic and shrugs slightly.
"She's a bit odd," observes Malic.
"The ways of those Chosen of Secrets are not for men like us to fathom..." Osprey chuckles softly.
"People say that a lot. It's just the words between "of" and "are" that change."
Osprey clears his throat. "I think I shall try to keep Forge in between myself and the god as much as possible. Hopefully he will be adequate to screen me from curious eyes."
Gia Makes Her Move
Gia steps into the room where the others speak to the god. "Brass Muskrat!" she exclaims, her face lighting up with awe and pleasure.
For a reason he does not understand, the god beams.
"I did not recognize you-- forgive me, I was tending to an ill friend. Tales of your conviction and ingenuity have spread far throughout the Forbidding Manse." She sits down right next to the god. "You're something of a rogue hero, you know." She laughs, seemingly overjoyed. "I can't believe I'm really meeting you."
He looks completely bowled over by this. "I'm glad to meet you as well! It's so rarely that I get to spend time with my adoring public, out here in the wilds."
Arkadi snaps his figners. "I THOUGHT that name sounded familiar!"
Gia grins, placing both hands over her chest as if overwhelmed herself. "I can't begin to tell you how much I admire a man who will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. You're a real inspiration." She glances over at the others, as if only now remembering they were there. "Have we reached an arrangement with our illustrious host?"
"I can't beleive I didn't recognize you, sir! It's an honor!" Arkadi has no clue what Gia's doing, but assumes she knows what she's doing, and will play along, for now.
Moth joins in. "Wait, he's the Brass Muskrat?"
Malic hears a clamor from inside the tent and shakes his head. "I assume the god is being beaten or charmed. We'll see when they come out, I guess." He pauses. "Would you like a sack to put over your head?"
Gia blushes. "I'm sorry my friends weren't as observant as I was; really, it's those chosen of Secrets that truly adore you. But you're admired by many." She smiles. "What marvelous transportation is it that you have secured us? I heard something about large insects?"
"Or we could put you in Ember's clothes and her in yours... Or! We could get Forge to swallow you and regurgitate you later! Though you might get a bit melty."
"In the light of recent Celestial Lion incidents, I would prefer to avoid any gambit which involves me being eaten," Osprey replies mildly.
"You're no fun at all. You should come to the party with me when we get back to Yu-Shan."
"Why yes...there are certain dragonflies...here, let me show you the entry in the Register of Monsters." He excitedly pulls out a different, larger book.
Gia fawns over the picture for a moment, and then looks up at the god again. "Brass Muskrat," she says, her voice tremoring slightly in concern, "one of my friends is very ill, and I have been absolutely overcome by the journey here." She dabs a bit of sweat from her lovely alabaster skin to demonstrate. "I am not at all certain that I will be able to travel to Hollow Mountain, or that my friend could ride one of those magnificent beasts. Is there any other way?" She looks desperate and worshipful. And really attractive.
"...Perhaps there is. Can you ride a horse?"
Gia laughs musically. "Now horses, I have ridden before. Yes, I think I could. Why?"
"I have some very fast horses."
Moth seems unsure. "...horses?"
"Oh, my. I think that might be just what Mercury ordered." Gia kisses the spirit on the cheek. "Your reputation is well earned, good sir. I cannot wait to tell my colleagues I actually met you!"
Arkadi blinks...he's never ridden before in his life.
"They're very docile as well. I only need to bring them back out of pasture..." He rings a gong four times.
Gia turns to Moth. "Would you please go get Malic and Seahawk?"
"Certainly." Moth leaves quickly, glad of an excuse. She looks around for Osprey and Malic outside.
Malic stands up, having failed to convince Osprey to wear a bag on his head. "Ready?"
"Yep," Moth replies.
Gia reaches into her cloak and pulls out a month's salary in ambrosia coins. "I couldn't dream of letting you go without compensation for allowing the use of your illustrious equines." She sets the bag of coins on the table. "And, of course, to serve as a reminder that you still have friends in Yu-Shan.
"And this one's from me, more for the latter reason than the former." She winks, pulls a coin from her bodice, and tosses it to the god before swiftly exiting the premises.
Arkadi shakes his head "That is one...odd lady."
The Superlative Horses
Three horses have arrived in the abandoned stable. They appear to have grown fat from lack of exercise, but this doesn't at all relieve the distinctly predatory motions of their heads, or make their almost intelligent gazes less intimidating. The god has faded away into his sanctum once more, not wanting Gia to suddenly change her mind about the generous tip she gave him.
Malic pulls Ember up behind him on Forge, still in his rhinocerous shape. Giving the god a thankful pat on the head, Malic waits for the others to mount before heading off, following the Yellow Path once more.
Osprey sizes up the horses dubiously. Unlike the tribes of the River Province, his forest-dwelling people have never taken to horses.
Moth chews her lip and gingerly attempts to mount a horse. She manages to get onto her horse on the first try, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
Gia makes a disgusted face at Osprey. "I have never kissed such a distasteful ass so thoroughly in my life, but I think these horses are honestly without strings attached. Let's just go." She swings up onto a horse, looking discomfited.
Arkadi hustles out. He blinks at a horse. "That last time I saw a horse, it was my evening meal." He tries to figure out how to saddle up.
Osprey clumsily mounts up. His horse bucks, throwing him from the saddle.
"Shiiit...you okay there?" asks Arkadi.
"Osprey! Watch out!" Malic moves Forge in front of the spooked horse and grabs its reins, pulling it down and forcing it to calmness. "Here, let me help.."
Osprey manages to roll away from its flailing hooves. He keeps a good distance from the upset animal, glad that Brass Muskrat has vanished. This mishap would surely have drawn his scrutiny. Gia swiftly dismounts to help Osprey.
Malic pats the spooked horse that Osprey just fell off and waits for him and Gia to remount.
"Good boy? Maybe I've got a carrot." Arkadi sorta manages to get on.
Gia helps Osprey up. "Careful. I did not spend my month's pay saving your butt just to have it trampled by this horse." She grins lop-sidedly. "Let me help you onto mine."
Osprey takes Gia's hand. It looks like he's about to fall off again, but he grits his teeth and hangs on.
"Are we ready to go?" asks Malic.
Gia swings up in front of Osprey. "Let's get the hell out of here."
Malic nods. "The yellow path awaits." He gives a whooping YEEEHAAAAAW as he, Ember and Forge charge off down the invisible path.
Arkadi looks at the horse "Please don't get me killed?"
The horse snorts as if you say, "They don't pay me to kill you. But if they did, I would."
Gia gets the horse going at a slow lope, and follows behind Malic. Moth uncertainly tries to get her horse to follow Malic. She smiles in satisfaction as the horse does just that.
Arkadi shrugs and follows the others...
Osprey hangs on to Gia for dear life, sighing to himself as he thinks of how Malic will mock him for this.
Malic lets Forge slow down to ride beside Osprey and Gia's mount. "Having fun, Osprey?" Malic's grin is bright and wide and his yellow eyes sparkle
"...someone remind me why I TOOK THIS DAMN JOB ?!" gripes Arkadi.
"Because you didn't have a choice. It's just a bloody horse. They're not going to hurt you," chides Malic.
"Tell that to Ossie!"
Gia almost shouts something to Arkadi about how Osprey isn't complaining, but bites her tongue, wanting to save him more unwanted attention.
"What? His horse didnt hurt him. His incompetence scarred the poor beast...not its fault at all. Anyway, I was there to save him."
Osprey ignores them all, concentrating on not slipping off the horse and dragging Gia with him. Moth snickers quietly.
"You're doing well, I think," Gia says in a carefully neutral tone. She is sure not to mention she's never really ridden a horse before, herself.
"...why couldn't have I been a Solar?" asks Arkadi.
"Because you don't want to be persecuted, thrown out of town, hunted like a dog, given no help, no support, no idea who or what you are and be the underling of one of the most unresponsive gods in Yu-Shan?" suggests Malic. "Because they're yellow and you're red? Because you're not heroic and perfect enough? Or because the Sun just doesnt like you? I can go on.."
Gia giggles quietly at the banter.
"...Hey, I'm already that first bunch of things you listed."
"Well that's because everyone already hates you."
"I'm a COP! They're not supposed to!"
"Of course they are. I hated all you silly law enforcers. Telling me it was illegal to take things and move stuff.. Illegal to ply my trade..hmph," Malic grumps.
"Not my fault you likely traded in various illegal wares!"
"They were NOT illegal. I always made sure at least one city on my route allowed them."
Gia rolls her eyes.
"Besides, it's not my fault everyone's guilty of something!" asserts Arkadi.
"You dont have to arrest them for it. I mean, is it a crime for Osprey here to be anathema to equines?"
"No, it isn't," admits Arkadi.
"Though I suppose he might be guilty of manslaughter if his anti-equine properties somehow enraged a horse to murder.." muses Malic. "I should look that up when I get back to Heaven.."
"...just drop it!" grits Arkadi.
Malic rides back ahead, smiling.
"Those two are ridiculous," Gia mutters to Osprey.
The superlative horses carry the group off toward Kirighast, with Forge trundling along beside.
Later That Night
The first night of their camping, after the horses, Ember, Arkadi and Moth are asleep...Malic, Gia and Osprey sit together by the fire.
"You two feeling alright? First time ride over this ground can't have been easy."
"I'm a little sore, but other than that, none the worse for wear." Gia sips some tea made over the campfire. "How are you, Brother Osprey?"
"I do not think these horses like me." Osprey sighs quietly. "At least, they do not like me enough to overcome my lack of familiarity with them. In the forests of the East, there is little use for mounts of their sort."
Malic frowns over his own drink, looking thoughtful. "Do you suppose that the Ambrosia counts for our part of the bargain, or should we work the astrology when we return? If he is, as you say, a traitor..it may not be wise to do so. I am loathe to break an agreement.."
Gia shudders almost involuntarily. "The spirit has received more than enough for those horses. And besides, the Astrology was the price for the Dragonflies, which we did not use."
Malic nods. "I suppose that will do..I still feel uncomfortable.."
Osprey frowns. "I agree with Gia. And I have little desire to bend fate in this god's favor, in any case."
"If you really do want to gelp such an odious individual, it would be to your honor, I suppose," Gia says dubiously. "I simply think it's not necessary, should you decide not to."
Malic nods. "Well, I suppose I can bend my buisness ethic for that one."
"What is our plan once we reach the city?" asks Osprey.
"I'm not entirely sure we have one. We could always put up signs saying, 'Missing: one servant of Eye and Seven Despairs. Any information, please contact us at this hotel." Gia chuckles.
Osprey shifts, finding a more comfortable position. "Whatever it is, we should try to exercise some discretion. Ahlat is not a god who would look lightly upon us wreaking havoc on his worshipers."
"I'll probably be able to dig something up from the underground," volunteers Malic.
Osprey nods. "Our colleague Arkadi will surely be able to help you."
"I'm not sure Arkadi will be entirely comfortable playing catch-and-release with the criminal underbelly of Harborhead," Gia says, "but he may prove useful anyway."
"Indeed. And your..friend the spider?" asks Malic.
Osprey looks over his shoulder, to where Arkadi is wrapped up asleep in his blanket. "Whether or not he is comfortable, I am sure he will spend a great deal of time complaining."
"My spider?" Gia blinks in surprise. "I'm sure he can be of help as well, but when it comes to the underworld, his information is mercurial at best." She pauses for a moment. "No disrespect intended."
"He could still help us locate the ghost by finding those connected to him," Malic notes. "Regardless, I'm sure it'll be useful."
"And Moth is a factor which is greatly in our favor," Gia adds. "Her knowledge of ghosts and the underworld is infinitely helpful."
Osprey closes his eyes, and tries to attune to the weave of fate as Gia showed him back at her Manse. Gia watches him curiously.
Osprey listens closely to the song of fate, attempting to pick out the sapphire notes of Serenity.
"Mmm..is he having a seizure or an epiphany?" Malic inquires.
"Shh, he's thinking."
"That doesn't answer my question.."
Gia elbows Malic in the ribs to get him to be quiet.
Moth stirs in her sleep and mumbles something. Malic goes over to Moth to check if she's awake. He prods her in the stomach with a foot. "Are you awake?"
"Mmmphrrr?!" Moth rolls over a couple times away from Malic and rises to her feet blinking. "Oh, it's you." She makes a dismissive gesture and sits back down.
Osprey opens his eyes and shakes his head slightly.
"Nice to see you too, Moth," Malic greets her.
"I think the weave of fate is telling me that I should go to sleep." Osprey chuckles softly. "Not the most profound revelation."
Gia grins at her friend. "Hey, whatever makes you happy."
Osprey looks at Gia. "With practice, and your excellent instruction, I am sure that I will soon be able to perceive what will make others happy, as well as myself. But for now..." He unpacks his blanket.
"Good night, sister Gia... brother Malic." Osprey wraps himself up in the blanket and quickly dozes off.
Gia yawns. "It's probably time for all of us to sleep." Gia wanders to her own section of camp, and falls asleep dreaming of a hot bath.
