Tuesday 10 April 2018

Herald 5 : Unspoken_Thoughts

Ro: (Grande Nazkova should be helping out at the garrison today.)

Roberia followed the maid to the new wing, where an aged man was giving directives to some trainees while squatting next to a model.

N: "Remember not to crowd around the unconscious while administering on-field relief. You want to promote ventilation as much as you can, especially for heat stress. Sprawl him across the floor, unbuckle the equipment and air out his pits and groin. Does anyone remember the three main regions where heat accumulates the most?"

"The earlobes, fingertips and feet."

N: "No Darrec, those are the three spots furthest from the heart. The three main regions for heat accumulation are the neck, pits, and groin. Can you use your brain for once in your life, and think back on why I stressed the importance of airing out his pits and groin? Seriously. Don't just group anything with threes together."

D: "Sorry sir."

N: "To recapitulate, the parts with the free joints such as the shoulder and hip joints are the main regions where heat accumulates the most. Not only are they moving parts, the joints are also the channels which blood flows through to the limbs, thus they contain considerable body heat. So you have to target those areas first. Now, after cooling him off with a wipedown, you should raise his legs slightly and rest them on a rock, so the blood in his legs flows toward his head. When he wakes, what should you do?"

"Give him something to drink, like water or cooled soup."

N: "What is the one exception?"

He gave a brief glance around the group of trainees and chanced upon Roberia's approach from the corner of his eye.

D: "Anything alcoholic?"

N: "Correct. Remember, no beer or mead, offer nothing that intoxicates. Have him in a comfortable recovery position after that and don't leave his side, not until your fellow knight is alright to wear his armor and walk on his own. Consider the heat of your surroundings and get more drinks if necessary. Well, that more or less sums it up for alleviating wounds, fractures and heat build-up."

The trainees nodded briefly at the lecture and roused some brief chatter at the sign of the lesson's end.

Ro: (He's hard at work. I do feel a bit bad asking this of him, but I don't think there's anyone else I can turn to.)
N: "For any further queries, discuss it among yourselves. I know the formation practice takes a big toll on you lot, but never neglect the means to mend wounds after the battle. I will prepare a practical test for you to exercise these skills."

The esquires gave him an inquiring look, and their ears perked up almost comically.

Ro: (Impressionable esquires... Why does this happen during every intake?)
N: "So, you may have heard the rumors from your seniors about the assistants I plan to request. If you have any fair maiden in mind you wish to romance, gather the ladies you lot want to demonstrate your knowledge on."

Chatters and whispers echoed like a merchant shoveling black sand into a wok of scallops and chestnuts.

N: "Need I remind you that you will be conducting yourselves before the maiden of your choosing? The last thing you want is for them to know how unreliable you are when the need arises. Try not to embarrass yourselves. That will be all, go wash yourselves up."

Nazkova timed his debrief in sync with Roberia's approach and dismissed the trainees.

N: "You look troubled, Your Highness. How may I help you on this lovely day?"

If the plan went well, forcing a duel upon Pierre may actually be possible. The preparation work for it would require ceremonial armor, her insignia, and a single opportunity.

Ro: (I should prepare the regalia if I want this to work. It should be in my room, the large one woven with my hair I draped on the chair.) "... I have a favor to ask of you, Grande Nazkova."

*** ***

His sabots were designed for long-distance travel to aid the young child in performing errands, but ergonomics could only contribute as much as his legs could. Katachi slowed his pace considerably to conserve his stamina for the road ahead.

K: (My skin feels funny when I observe it consciously. What spell is this derived from? It is far too bizarre and unusual so I'm inclined to think it's Lotz, but it could also be some obscure legend from Ohde or Auser for all I know.)

Upon the back of his hand was a strange eye tattoo that took on a life of its own. It would gravitate its gaze towards his destination regardless of how he spun his body and rotated his wrist. It was certainly a jarring sight, and perhaps it was a great fortune that he was currently alone. Passersby who saw it may have taken to disgust and fear upon witnessing something as foreign and perverse as such.

K: (... Is it possible to make the eye look at me directly?)

Katachi turned around and tried to walk backward slowly while raising his arm to direct the eye's gaze at him. For some reason, as he locked eyes with the tattoo he was awash with a great sense of trepidation. It felt like some predator or unknown being had been watching over him for a long time.

K: (Bad idea, bad idea! I'm getting goosebumps looking at it like this. That eye looks so creepy like it's reading my expressions, and waiting on me to slip up or lower my guard.)

The sensation of being scrutinized was induced solely by the fact that his arm was wobbling very slightly when held up, above its neutral position. Regardless of his decision to remain stationary or continue walking, it was a natural phenomenon that elevated the eye's uncanny impression to realism. It gave him the warped notion that the eye belonged to someone from a different plane, perhaps from the nameless dimensions similar to the ones used as Sealed Rooms.

K: (... Come to think of it, if it can be adjusted to stare at me directly, I wonder if I can make the eye turn itself inside out. But, somehow... That seems even creepier, I don't really want to find out what lies beyond the white flesh of the eyes. Somehow, the thought that a person's eyes can be upturned that far...)

The numbing electricity jolted down his spine and made him edgier than he had ever been. But it also peaked a rather twisted interest within him to pursue that answer, as though he were convincing himself that the knowledge obtained now would ward him for a time where he would be forced to confront it again.

K: (... Knowledge of danger is learned in order to protect ourselves from it. If I had to choose between now or later, it may be best to prepare for this problem before it is used against me.)

His foresight was a result of his ceaseless cultivation to better himself and ascend to a stage where the predators of his childhood would bother him no more. Katachi tried to raise his hand in the direction where the eye was staring at, and to his shock, the eye behaved contrary to all of his expectations.

K: "What the- ?!"

It was not the canvas of white he was expecting, or the strap of red he imagined the optic nerve would show when pulled beyond what was acceptable. Where the eye once was, a peephole of sorts that showed a different scene manifested, replicating a familiar spell all by itself. But whether the ink that constituted the eye was used as the pioneer catalyst or the original creator of the eye intended for it by using Ingrave to map that spell using his or her last spark of life... That was beyond him.

K: (A... Vision? A scene of the destination in question? This eye... It's showing me the destination! Some kind of house made of stone, with two pots hanging by the porch and a letterbox for incoming mail. There's an old man with a hammer of sorts walking by. It's likely somewhere in Rugnud.)

The eye was far too small to be used for anything else other than a long-range monocular. But, it provided him with a very important component for another spell – The destination in mind. The image of his goal was vivid enough in his head for the spell to succeed, and he could, in theory, skip the unknown distance remaining if he fulfilled its requirements.

The purpose of the eye became apparent, and he required only the will to enact it. Katachi pulled out the map in his bag and unfolded it from his hands.

K: (I saw a sandy path right before the house. If I find a sandy road around here, I can head there immediately. I'm currently en route to Eliasbury, and the closest sand route is the one headed south towards Dermesten from Mielfeud. I can use Lein's Urgency to the herb ledge, head towards the road to Dermesten and use the spell again to reach the house.)

He tested the eye again, and the vision of the house appeared before him once more. The effect appeared reusable, which defied every possibility he could imagine of the eye's origin. While it brought him comfort and relief that the eye did not require the oblation of a person, he could not help but wonder what the nature of the eye was.

K: (A spell which can be reused... If it can be used multiple times, maybe it requires multiple lives-... That is probably too costly. How many lives would one need to claim for that to become a reality? It makes more sense to think that it's using something else as a substitute. But, in that case... Maybe it's something from myself-...)

Both possibilities that opened up only spelled horror for him. It was better not to think about it and simply to proceed on, ignoring the insanity from either choice.

*** ***

The sound of wood and metal colliding could be heard from the adjacent room. As the attendants and maids prepared the refreshments on a table at the side, Roberia occupied a small corner of the room in the doorway's blind spot.

Ro: (This place would do.)

She put on the regalia and poised herself in a unique dueling stance, indoctrinated by Ilpoh himself for the stubborn coward who would not accept any skirmish requests. The only missing piece was the victor's presence.

Ro: (Nazkova should be in position and preparing by now.)

The plan was pretty simple in execution, but at the same time filled with a small window of weakness. It was up to Nazkova to set up the outcome such that the victor was the first to pass the doorway, which would invariably validate the duel request Roberia prepared.

The room was, fortunately, populated by three people - Pierre Marillin, Gaza Slingeneyer and the Knight of Oaths acting as their referee. There were no subsidiary attendants about that would pass the doorway before the knights, and the servants were to excuse themselves after setting up the refreshments for the knights. Milos Nazkova was likely spying into the room through the window to ensure the outcome was desirable.

Ro: (Huh. They're finished? That was quick. I should prepare.)

Frankly, the whole candidate system implemented without her permission was a gigantic hassle. She had to consult Duke Harlot to conduct some of the fights at intentional locations so she could prepare for the trap. But, the candidate selection system progressed far quicker than she had anticipated. By the time Duke Harlot acceded to her requests, most of the candidates had already been ousted.

Ro: (I should have a peek at the events in the room. Jedivh's Eye, was it? I can't believe this is actually made from Nazkova just hours ago...)

Was that a sign of the citizens' unrest, at their urgency to find a replacement for Fastiel? No one could tell as things currently stood. Roberia broke from the duel request stance and held the amulet dangling from her neck.

Ro: "Jedivh's Eye."

The scene before her left eye changed rapidly to convey the view before the great sorceror himself. She could see the Knight of Oaths excusing himself from the room, and scribbled on the wall Nazkova leaned against was a couple of different markings drawn on with charcoal and the symbol of a person.

Ro: (Those markings look like the regalia for the Marillin and Slingeneyer families. But why is the figure of the person drawn in grey? What is that drawn with?... Ah, he's crossing out one of them with chalk.)

She could not hear the conversation happening in the room, but Pierre shook hands with Gaza reluctantly before heading for the doorway. In response, Nazkova drew a symbol over the grey figure, and Pierre suddenly knelt down before falling to the side.

Ro: (Whoa. As expected of Grande Nazkova, he's an excellent magus... Wait, if he's not stopping Gaza, does that mean Pierre lost?)
G: "Carlos, are you there? We need a stretcher!"

From the cobbled hallway came Gaza's voice, echoing and resonating soundly. Right on cue, the servants and maids near the refreshment corner accommodated to Roberia's plan and vacated the room quickly.

G: "What- Hey, what happened? Where are they going?"
Ro: (That doesn't sound good. He might discover the plan... But, then again, I don't really have a reason to contest Gaza.)

Roberia stood up and leaned against the wall to remain concealed from Gaza, and focused on the amulet again. The ploy was meant for Pierre should he emerge victoriously, but if the candidate for kingship was Gazarrelli Slingeneyer her forceful coercion became unnecessary.

Ro: (Is he coming this way?) "... Jedivh's Eye."

Contrary to her expectations, Gaza was conversing with a wholly greenish figure that, for reasons unknown, he was unfazed by.

Ro: (What? What is that- Oh, it's Nazkova's doing.)

The sorceror's point of view was rapidly alternating between the glass bead on his right palm and the room where Gaza stood, so it could be inferred that the 'person' was actually an illusion of sorts. Gaza seemed to buy right into the trick, and leaned Pierre towards the illusion while turning to face the walkwa-

*Ttthhriknhk*

... Roberia wasn't sure whether to feel amused or shocked at the scene. The illusion, having no corporeal form, could not prevent Pierre from collapsing onto the ground as he phased right through its visage.

G: "What the-... I thought you would catch him!... Wha- What do you mean, 'it's the best recovery position'?! I- Never mind. Just watch over him, I'll get a physician. It's in the Lithelle wing, right?"
Ro: (He's headed this way. Oh no, where do I hide?)

*** ***

Katachi cleaned off the wet sand from his sabots with a dirty rag before ascending the small flight of steps. He knocked on the wooden door with adequate force before a strange, prickling sensation was felt in the frontal lobes of his brain.

K: (What in the good woods-?! Mind reading magic! Where is it coming from?!)

He leaned his back against the stone wall frantically glanced around the house. There was no one in his immediate region but a bricklayer working nearby gave him a raised brow.

"There is no cause for alarm, young one. Come on in."

The door to his right opened, and Katachi got off from the wall and glanced into the doorway.

K: (A female's voice... No cause for alarm? So she's the one responsible?)

It made sense that an acolyte of Hraxiif would know the best ways to inflict fear upon the people they interacted with. Nothing was quite as frightening as mind-reading magic, and in particular, not only was the caster privy to the involuntary desires of the heart; but to know the very nature of their spells renders the magi useless and even ensnared by their own magic.

He accepted the invitation and entered the stone house reluctantly. It was rather well-maintained and small, without any additional rooms to cordon the bed from the hearth. A simple counter with fruits, a small table to work with and three chairs tucked beneath, a tidy bed and a stone hearth for cooking. For how small it was, the stonemason's handiwork was leagues above the same found back home, at the church.

"Have a seat. I have no intention of hurting you."

A rather stumpy and obese- Or 'chubby' lady about his height spoke from behind him, closing the door gently.

K: "... Under what basis should I trust a mind reader?"

"Under the basis that you have no idea what Hraxiif expects of you here."

Fifteen seconds had yet elapsed into their conversation, and the terrifying advantage of mind-reading unsheathed itself like a blood-thirsty blade. Katachi felt a slight sense of aversion and disgust, but the only thing he could do was stomach it down and accede to her terms.

E: "My name is Etria. I am a servant to Hraxiif, his acolytes three, and I am here to guide you."

K: "Guide me, you say? You're a mind reader. You play with people's hearts like they're toys, and you-"

E: "-Would it bring you comfort, if mind-reading is all I am allowed to do?"

Her interjection itself was also the power of her mind-reading at work. But her offer presented something unthinkable for Katachi – A fighting chance.

K: "Wh- what?"

She had a curious look in her eyes, one that Katachi didn't recognize. But perhaps he was being too critical of her?

E: "You can gag me, or tie me up, or bind me with your Word of Power if it pleases you. My only goal here is to read your mind and let you know what your deepest fear is."

K: "Th- that's all you're going to do? Really?"

E: "Of course. No vessel of Hraxiif should be left unaware of their banes."

Perhaps she had been judged by the many people around her enough to know what they fear. Perhaps she knew the best way to convince them that she was harmless... Or perhaps she knew the best way to lower their guard before killing them. After all, a secret between two could be kept if one was dead.

*Cozy's Notes: The Pierces - Secret reference.*

K: (I can set my destination to the road outside, away from her range. I've never really tried it, but at least I have an escape plan.) "... Then, do what it is you must do. I will leave the moment I sense any foul play."

E: "I know you will, even if it were risky."

Of course, she would.

E: "Now, if I can kindly ask you to lay on the bed and sleep, I shall begin."

*** ***

G: "Roberia? By Ilpoh's beard, is that you?"

The only way she could play it off was by leaning against the wall in a relaxed position and pretending to notice his entrance. She stuffed the regalia into the armor quickly and struck a pose staring at the refreshments corner before turning to greet him in kind.

Ro: "Good afternoon, Gaza. Is Uncle Arsa here with you today?"

G: "Ah, no, Father is off to a diplomatic visit with the Grand Duke towards Auser. But I must say, it is certainly unusual to see you here."

Ro: "Is it, really? The weather today is unusually hot, see, and I saw the attendants prepare a refreshments corner here. I didn't think it would be right to let this heat claim the cool drinks before I did, you see."

Strangely enough, Gaza was staring at her quite intently, with a puzzled yet pleased look on his face. Was there something wrong with her attire?

*Cozy's Notes: There is. Also, you always spam 'see' and 'you see' in dialogue when you're nervous. I'm onto you.*

G: "I agree, a lukewarm drink is rather revolting when it's hot out. But, if I may so politely ask... Is that intentional?"

What did he mean by intentional? Roberia had already tucked the regalia away into the sabaton of her ceremonial armor before he entered the room. Surely, he wasn't thinking about her presence being more than a mere coincidence?

*Cozy's Notes: He is.*

Ro: "Please speak clearly."

G: "Forgive me, Roberia, but... I am ashamed to say that I'm not prepared for this development."

When he phrased it that way, the sabaton wasn't the point of interest. What did he mean by development? Roberia took a careful look at herself before she came to the same realization.

Ro: (... Wait a minute, this ceremonial armor... It- it's a gift from him when I graduated the rite of passage!! Oh no!!)

Contrary to the corsair tunic she chose for herself, to wear another noble's gift was a sign of favor. Roberia did not think too much about it when she wore it, especially since his gift was tailored to her size and fit her current body seamlessly. Unlearned in court manners she might be, there could be no graver mistake.

*Cozy's Notes: lol. Court as in both the behaviour of aristocracy & the act of winning favourable attention.*

Ro: (How- how did things turn out this way?! This was supposed to be a trap for Pierre, not myself!) "No, I didn't it mean it that way, you see! I wasn't wearing this for you deliberately, Gaza! See, I was going to prepare a trap for- Gaza! No! Don't think about it!"

G: "But, my dear cousin, all I 'see' is the message you're conveying right now."

Ro: "Oh, for the love of- That's it! You're done for!"

Roberia pulled the regalia out from the sabaton and looped the tied strings around her neck. She grabbed the rapier leaned against the wall quickly and assumed the dueling stance that caught Gaza off-guard. By Ilpoh's law, they were now locked in a forced skirmish.

Ro: "You will challenge me here, and you will submit to my demands with my victory!"

G: "Wait, where did you even get that from?!  And how- Wwuoahh! That's dangerous! Please, can we not discuss this, Roberia?!"

Gaza quickly shifted away from her with magic, and he safeguarded himself from the second attack. His resistance was commendable but pitiably meaningless against Roberia who was experienced in his moves.

*** ***

A quiet canvas of ash. The only thing that stood out was the horizon that divided the gray land from the white sky.

E: (How... disgusting.)

Etria was no stranger to people's minds. She had seen many variants of a person's internalized world. People were slaves and artists of their emotions, empowered and enfeebled equally. The colors and objects about were usually symbolic of their lives and showed sides they were not always comfortable with sharing. Violence, love, sadness and pride, each had a purpose in their hearts assigned and tainted in their slew of beliefs.

E: (These things, riddled in the ground... They look creepy.)

The earth itself was stenciled with the desecrated remains of countless body parts, too small in size to be anything but children, yet they looked like they were part of the ground's texture as opposed to the actual remains of people buried beneath it. The scene was revolting and reminded her of a terrible war's aftermath, but in reference to his various memories of the church, it was the exact message Segus was trying to convey.

E: (... This seems almost intentional. Let's see what he has to offer.)

In order to materialize herself in that realm, she touched Katachi's forehead lightly with her physical body. Etria gently brushed her newly-formed fingers against the floor, and quiet bubbles surfaced from the ground. They grew and merged, and formed a gigantic sphere, the peripheral areas of the mindscape in clear view. She twisted and pinched the bubble gently to agitate the feeling of nostalgia, and whispered to it subtly.

E: "Happiness. Think, of the happiest you've ever felt."

From its grey surface, a quiet viridian scene unfolded on the surface of the bubble...

*** ***

Gaza was sent home to Thrisben later that day, with bruises all over and an oath to keep his silence. Fortunately for him, Roberia was too flustered to remember that she was supposed to negotiate about their eventual marriage.

In the end, nobody came for Pierre Marillin until the attendants returned to clean the refreshments corner and found it mostly untouched.

*** ***

Ri: "Katachi dear, do you know what day it is today?"

A book chronicling the Baytelon Gate was placed down, and a nun came into view from across the room. She shifted closer and sat next to the child before pulling him into her embrace.

Ri: "It's been four years, fifteen months and three weeks since the world embraced you. Do you know what that means?"

She gently rocked and swayed, and her hair drooped from her shoulder into his view. Etria could not help but feel a slight tinge of envy upon seeing the nun's balanced figure and healthy-looking hair.

K: "My... Birthday?"

Ri: "That's right! It's your birthday next week! Do you have anything you want, my little bunny?"

E: (Next week?... The happiest moment of his life is a week before his birthday?)

What of the birthday itself? Why was it not being shown? Etria felt the sudden curiosity to find out for herself, but she must not. There was no need to pry more than what was necessary. Besides, she should first finish the scene before her to determine his greatest fear.

K: "... I... I want a cake."

A mundane wish. Compared to the various people before with significant life events, men who found an apprenticeship with a master craftsman, or pleasure in another's company over by a river, a wish like that felt so plain. What was it doing in his happiest memory? Was the child secretly using some spell that modified the image she was supposed to see, or was his life truly that deplorable?

Ri: "Oh, baking a cake! That sounds wonderful! I'll prepare the dough-"

K: "-But, but, uh..."

Ri: "What is it, Katachi dear?"

K: "What about your birthday, Mother? If, if we use up the flour, then..."

He seemed too kind, and too nice a child. There was no way this was supposed to be the scowling Ohdean sleeping upon her bed. It was very likely a ploy or some original spell he constructed to deceive a mind reader.

Ri: "Oh, don't worry about it, Katachi dear. My birthday wish is your birthday wish. We celebrate together!"

But did a spell like that really exist? Was it truly possible to make a spell that countered mind-reading with misinformation? If a spell like that truly existed, then it meant the child managed to conceive an illogical thought that was not his own, to tamper with his own memories. But that in itself was a fallacy thorough and thorough.

Or was there another loophole to the mind-reading spell? Etria gave a baffled frown. Never had she the need to concern herself over whether the vessel candidate was able to do something like that. How would a kid even manage to pull off a misinformed mind?

K: "Then... Can we bake the cake together?"

Ri: "Of course, my dear! Come to the kitchen, Mother will teach you how to sift the flour."

The scenes that followed were garbled and not quite as clear, which meant this memory was comparably dated. Semblances of them sifting flour and kneading dough could be made out, with considerable difficulty.

E: (That's the end already...)

Etria did not feel satisfied. The scene was so plain and mundane that it was hard to believe. It was almost impossible to tell what his greatest fear was from that alone. The sheltering room, the warmth, the promise of homemade pastry? It was too vague.

What a disgrace she was, to be unable to decipher the enigma of a child. Hraxiif would surely punish her for it, but the vessel candidate must know his greatest fear before he can progress onward. She had a need to report his greatest fear to the next acolyte.

E: (... I didn't want to do this since I'll basically be plunging him into a nightmare. But I have no choice. Everyone has a fear of something, and he won't be obedient if it's left alone.)

Knowing full well that she would harm the child, she whispered into the bubble once more.