Post by Joel P. on Jul 21, 2013 12:22:07 GMT -5
This is the first chapter of the cooperative work Randy (rjj7) and I are working on. Stormiel requested we post it, and I think it'd be good to give you all a taste of the kind of work we've been doing.
Without further ado, here is chapter one.
As the massive bronze bells in the Temple of the Watcher tolled the hour, Atsui lifted his forehead from the mat on which he lay prone. After rising to his feet, he genuflected toward the statue of the Watcher, whose enigmatic face was shadowed by the folds of his hood, then turned and walked sedately to the exit.
The temple guard gave him a short bow, which he returned, as he collected his sandals, dagger and satchel and left the temple. Barring the unforeseen, he would be home before supper.
A pair of monks walked past him as he hastened along the dirt road, their quiet chant of Servator, tatsu videre barely noticeable above the din of the traffic. The palisade wall which encircled Ressa had four gates, one in each direction of the compass; and it was the south gate Atsui was now hastening toward, the one which overlooked the Wadatsu River. He bowed briefly to the guards at the gate before hurrying across the solid wooden bridge which spanned the length of the river.
A group of adventurers walked past, chattering amiably amongst themselves. Atsui shook his head in disapproval. They had probably heard rumors of treasure under the Temple of the Watcher and had come to investigate. The guards would turn them away quickly enough.
Shortly after the adventurers came an army company of fifteen men, likely heading to Kalastyr. The commander saluted Atsui, hand to chest, upon seeing the green cord of honorable discharge braided into his hair, and Atsui returned the salute. His four years with the army had been uneventful, other than three months of intense conflict spawned by the dissolution of that island empire, Tsortea; but he had still opted for discharge rather than rising to become an officer.
He was now passing the Herima farm on his left, the path to their dwelling nearly overgrown as usual. What the Herima family did, he had no clue; they were never in their fields overseeing the hired help, and rarely went into Ressa. Atsui’s dwelling and fields were next. The path leading to his house was well-tended, and his fields were prosperous; for which he thanked the Watcher. The stipend from his military service had been enough for him to buy a piece of land here on the southern bank of the Wadatsu, and with successive large harvests, he had been able to expand his farm and hire several workers.
Upon entering his house, Atsui unslung his satchel from his shoulder and extracted the two rice-paper scrolls he had been carrying. He hung the satchel on a hook inside the door and brought the scrolls into the dining area. His overseer, Egisto, was seated at the table reviewing the past month’s ledger.
“Ah, Inushi Atsui.” Egisto rose and bowed, then seated himself again. “I take it you succeeded in obtaining the contracts you sought?”
“I did indeed.” Atsui seated himself, inhaling the familiar aroma of boiling rice, seasoned with jasmine nectar. “Merissa is preparing dinner?”
“Yes,” said Egisto as he took the rice-paper scrolls and opened them. Merissa, his wife of ten years, handled the domestic affairs of Atsui’s farms, while Egisto handled the personnel and expenditures. Atsui oversaw them both and negotiated most of the buying and shipping contracts, including contracts for hired labor. “What news have you heard, Inushi?”
“I have heard of another caravan lost in the Snarl, not three months gone.”
Egisto looked up from the scrolls in surprise. “I had thought all overland travel to Wer stopped with the winter rains. Who could have been fool enough to try?”
“Kyō Isamon, who else?” Atsui shook his head. “If the Kyō is not careful, he may lose his lands outright; and be considered fortunate not to lose his head to his creditors’ demands.” Atsui adjusted his seat. “I have also heard of the short conflict between Tsortea and Enthorië: it ended in a stalemate, as these usually do. Sea travel has resumed as usual.”
“Hmm.” Egisto considered the scrolls again. “Have you heard more of the misuto-morsu?”
Atsui scowled. “More rumors every day, my friend. Most blatantly exaggerated, but a few – a very few – I judge to have the ring of truth about them.”
Egisto shook his head mournfully. “This is what comes sailors of following their superstitions instead of worshiping the Aspects as all sane men should. It is likely another karak swarm. A few of them heard of it, took it as some sort of omen, and spread it farther.”
“Likely, yes.” Atsui stood from the table. “I shall go cleanse my body. Do you believe we can fulfill the contracts?”
“Oh, of course. I merely wish to ensure I apply our field hands in the most efficient way possible.” Egisto rolled the scrolls back up and carefully affixed a new seal of malleable wax to each. The wax would bond to the rice paper, making it impossible to open the scrolls without damaging them unless one had a ring with the unique design of the seal, designed to detach it. He then placed the scrolls in one of the niches in the wall behind him and proceeded to the kitchen, where Merissa was watching the rice and stirring a pot of bora stew. She shook a spoon at him.
“I don’t know what you are doing in my kitchen, but you had best get out. Dinner will be ready when it is ready and not a moment before.”
Egisto smiled and raised his hands in mock surrender. “I merely came to fetch a coal to start the fire in the dining area.” He picked up the coal bucket and scooped a couple of coals from the edge of the pile inside the stove, then backed out. Merissa shook her head in his direction and returned her attention to the stew.
A flicker of movement outside the window drew her gaze, but was gone as soon as she looked. A knock at the kitchen door followed shortly. Merissa scowled at the door as if willing the knocker to go away, but the knock came again. With a sigh, she hefted her spoon and strode to the door, opening it as far as the chain would allow.
“Who are you and what do you want?” she barked at the diminutive figure outside the door. The figure bowed and swept back her hood, revealing raven-black hair and a narrow face.
“Please, Okami, I seek the residence of one Atsui. I was told I could find him here ...”
“Hmph. You were told correctly, child. What business do you have with Inushi Atsui?”
“My business is mine and mine alone,” the girl said with a glare. “And I am no child, Okami. He will see me, though. Tell him Ada of the Tywyll Calonau is at the door.”
“Very well,” Merissa said shortly, and shut the door in the girl’s face. “These accursed foreigners, may the Warrior smite them, have gall enough for ten,” she muttered as she returned to her stew. “Let the child sit and learn to restrain her impudence. I shan’t interrupt the Inushi’s peace.”
###
The Inushi was, at that time, not feeling particularly peaceful. Having finished his ablutions, he went to his bedchamber to change his clothes, and found yet another cricket hiding in his wardrobe. “Blasted creature,” he growled, swiping at it with his sandaled foot. The foot-long insect dodged the blow and skittered out the door.
Once he was sure it was gone, Atsui changed his fine silken robes for a set of coarser linen ones, more suitable for wearing inside the house. He took a moment to ensure his dark brown hair was secure in its braid, and placed his green cord of discharge on the table beside his bed. His money pouch followed, but he retained the signet ring upon his right hand. After a brief glance under the bed to ensure no more crickets were lurking, he walked out to the dining area, where Merissa was placing bowls for him, Egisto, and herself. Atsui had insisted, over her protests, that she and Egisto eat with him at nights. True, it was not the accepted protocol; but he could not stand eating alone.
“The stew is nearly ready, Inushi,” she said. Her brief bow was cut off by a pounding at the kitchen door. She scowled deeply.
“Who is that, Merissa?” he asked.
“A foreigner,” she said grimly. “Barely out of her childhood, yet she claims to know you. She mentioned something called Tawish Calonow.”
Atsui was taken aback. “Tywyll Calonau?”
“Or something akin to that,” she said.
“Merissa, you should have come to me at once,” Atsui said sternly. “I know – it was a foreigner. But you should know not just anyone asks for me by name. Allow her entrance, and I will receive her in the guest room.”
Merissa bowed again. “As you wish, Inushi.” She strode back into the kitchen and opened the door fully. “The Inushi will see you now, child. Out the kitchen and to the left.”
Ada fixed her with that stare again. “You try my patience sorely, Okami.” She slipped past Merissa, who felt a chill run down her spine.
“Nonsense,” she muttered as she closed the door again and chained it. “But the Inushi meeting with a foreigner....I feel as if the moons could fall from the sky and it would not surprise me.”
###
Ada came silently into the guest room and nodded to Atsui. “Noswaith dda. Sut ydych chi?” she asked in Crocean.
“I am well,” Atsui responded in kind. “What are you doing here?”
“Come now, no greeting for an old friend?” Ada smiled a wolfish smile which seemed out of place on her diminutive face.
“No greeting for the wizard-assassin of the Black Hearts, no. What are your mercenary friends doing lately?”
“Oh, this and that.” Ada shrugged carelessly. “They move around quite a lot.”
“Yes, I imagine they’re still running after losing Bekktyr to the Enthoriën army.”
She chuckled. “You always were too smart for your own well-being, Atsui. Have you forgotten how we fought with you?”
“No, I have not forgotten. Nor have I forgotten the fact you did it for money.”
“Ah, well. Not everyone can be perfect.”
“Why are you here?” he asked again. “I defile my house by allowing you to stay even this long.”
She clicked her tongue at him with a reproachful look. “Oh, Atsui. Have you fallen back into your old religion so quickly? You honestly think the Watcher sees you, or the Warrior guards you? You believe the Philosopher inspires you, and the Traveler goes with you? You fought in the war same as I. You saw the same carnage as I, men abandoned by their gods and yours. Please, you know it-”
“Silence!” he hissed. “What I believe is not so important as what I am seen to believe. And you jeopardize even that. Make your point and leave, or I will throw you out.”
She laughed. “You are a good swordsman, but throw me out? Honestly now.”
He raised his eyebrows at her. “You think I hired Egisto and his wife for their management skills alone?”
That silenced Ada, and she considered him with intensity. “So,” she said after a moment. “The warrior who took command when his commander fell is still in there. Very well, Inushi Atsui, I will tell you why I am here.” Ada settled onto the bed in the guest room and began toying with one of her daggers. “You know of the misuto-morsu, do you not?”
“I have heard of it, yes.”
“It has been getting steadily worse, especially in the northern kingdoms. Sailors are terrified to leave the docks. I had to bribe and bully my way through three different ports before I could get to Kalastyr.”
“Why should this concern me? Most of my trading is overland.”
“It concerns you for a different reason,” she said, tossing the dagger up and catching it. “The Council of Amara and the Hall of Aurpria are both concerned now. I have a reputation as an efficient... gatherer of information. So, they found me and generously offered me a job.”
“You mean they reduced your jail sentence in exchange for your assistance.”
“Well, yes. Anyway, I thought it would be nice to meet with some of my old friends and see if they had heard anything.”
Atsui raised his eyebrows.
“Yes, and see if they could help me – look, Atsui, this is important.” She leaned forward gravely. “I wouldn’t be bothering you if it weren’t. Honestly, I don’t know what’s going on, and that is more than enough to worry me.”
“It seems to me they gave you a very nebulous assignment.”
“They only know as much as you or I do. If this is a natural occurrence, they need a way to defend against it and predict it. If it’s unnatural, they need the source or sources eliminated. That was the extent of their directions to me.”
“And you came directly to me? I am surprised.”
Ada shrugged. “You were the first person I could think of whom I could trust. And the only one whose last known location hadn’t changed in three years.”
Atsui smiled slightly. “That is a benefit of farming,” he said, speaking in Vestrateni again. “For what kind of help were you hoping?”
Ada glared at him, and said in Crocean: “You know I hate speaking in a language others could overhear and understand.” She switched to Vestrateni. “I wish for someone to travel with me and offer a candid assessment of any information I am able to gather. As well as someone who can handle themselves in a fight, if that should come up.”
Atsui nodded. “I would be willing. As it is near winter, there is very little here on the farm which requires my attention. Allow me to make arrangements with Egisto over the next day. In the meantime, you may eat with us tonight and stay here in the guest room.”
“Thank you,” said Ada wryly.
Atsui paused on his way to the door. “And you will not use your powers,” he said quietly, speaking Crocean again. “Merissa and Egisto are good at managing the household, but they are as prejudiced as most other worshipers of the Aspects.”
“Understood,” she said grimly. “Is dinner ready at the moment?”
“Yes. Let us go eat.”
Without further ado, here is chapter one.
As the massive bronze bells in the Temple of the Watcher tolled the hour, Atsui lifted his forehead from the mat on which he lay prone. After rising to his feet, he genuflected toward the statue of the Watcher, whose enigmatic face was shadowed by the folds of his hood, then turned and walked sedately to the exit.
The temple guard gave him a short bow, which he returned, as he collected his sandals, dagger and satchel and left the temple. Barring the unforeseen, he would be home before supper.
A pair of monks walked past him as he hastened along the dirt road, their quiet chant of Servator, tatsu videre barely noticeable above the din of the traffic. The palisade wall which encircled Ressa had four gates, one in each direction of the compass; and it was the south gate Atsui was now hastening toward, the one which overlooked the Wadatsu River. He bowed briefly to the guards at the gate before hurrying across the solid wooden bridge which spanned the length of the river.
A group of adventurers walked past, chattering amiably amongst themselves. Atsui shook his head in disapproval. They had probably heard rumors of treasure under the Temple of the Watcher and had come to investigate. The guards would turn them away quickly enough.
Shortly after the adventurers came an army company of fifteen men, likely heading to Kalastyr. The commander saluted Atsui, hand to chest, upon seeing the green cord of honorable discharge braided into his hair, and Atsui returned the salute. His four years with the army had been uneventful, other than three months of intense conflict spawned by the dissolution of that island empire, Tsortea; but he had still opted for discharge rather than rising to become an officer.
He was now passing the Herima farm on his left, the path to their dwelling nearly overgrown as usual. What the Herima family did, he had no clue; they were never in their fields overseeing the hired help, and rarely went into Ressa. Atsui’s dwelling and fields were next. The path leading to his house was well-tended, and his fields were prosperous; for which he thanked the Watcher. The stipend from his military service had been enough for him to buy a piece of land here on the southern bank of the Wadatsu, and with successive large harvests, he had been able to expand his farm and hire several workers.
Upon entering his house, Atsui unslung his satchel from his shoulder and extracted the two rice-paper scrolls he had been carrying. He hung the satchel on a hook inside the door and brought the scrolls into the dining area. His overseer, Egisto, was seated at the table reviewing the past month’s ledger.
“Ah, Inushi Atsui.” Egisto rose and bowed, then seated himself again. “I take it you succeeded in obtaining the contracts you sought?”
“I did indeed.” Atsui seated himself, inhaling the familiar aroma of boiling rice, seasoned with jasmine nectar. “Merissa is preparing dinner?”
“Yes,” said Egisto as he took the rice-paper scrolls and opened them. Merissa, his wife of ten years, handled the domestic affairs of Atsui’s farms, while Egisto handled the personnel and expenditures. Atsui oversaw them both and negotiated most of the buying and shipping contracts, including contracts for hired labor. “What news have you heard, Inushi?”
“I have heard of another caravan lost in the Snarl, not three months gone.”
Egisto looked up from the scrolls in surprise. “I had thought all overland travel to Wer stopped with the winter rains. Who could have been fool enough to try?”
“Kyō Isamon, who else?” Atsui shook his head. “If the Kyō is not careful, he may lose his lands outright; and be considered fortunate not to lose his head to his creditors’ demands.” Atsui adjusted his seat. “I have also heard of the short conflict between Tsortea and Enthorië: it ended in a stalemate, as these usually do. Sea travel has resumed as usual.”
“Hmm.” Egisto considered the scrolls again. “Have you heard more of the misuto-morsu?”
Atsui scowled. “More rumors every day, my friend. Most blatantly exaggerated, but a few – a very few – I judge to have the ring of truth about them.”
Egisto shook his head mournfully. “This is what comes sailors of following their superstitions instead of worshiping the Aspects as all sane men should. It is likely another karak swarm. A few of them heard of it, took it as some sort of omen, and spread it farther.”
“Likely, yes.” Atsui stood from the table. “I shall go cleanse my body. Do you believe we can fulfill the contracts?”
“Oh, of course. I merely wish to ensure I apply our field hands in the most efficient way possible.” Egisto rolled the scrolls back up and carefully affixed a new seal of malleable wax to each. The wax would bond to the rice paper, making it impossible to open the scrolls without damaging them unless one had a ring with the unique design of the seal, designed to detach it. He then placed the scrolls in one of the niches in the wall behind him and proceeded to the kitchen, where Merissa was watching the rice and stirring a pot of bora stew. She shook a spoon at him.
“I don’t know what you are doing in my kitchen, but you had best get out. Dinner will be ready when it is ready and not a moment before.”
Egisto smiled and raised his hands in mock surrender. “I merely came to fetch a coal to start the fire in the dining area.” He picked up the coal bucket and scooped a couple of coals from the edge of the pile inside the stove, then backed out. Merissa shook her head in his direction and returned her attention to the stew.
A flicker of movement outside the window drew her gaze, but was gone as soon as she looked. A knock at the kitchen door followed shortly. Merissa scowled at the door as if willing the knocker to go away, but the knock came again. With a sigh, she hefted her spoon and strode to the door, opening it as far as the chain would allow.
“Who are you and what do you want?” she barked at the diminutive figure outside the door. The figure bowed and swept back her hood, revealing raven-black hair and a narrow face.
“Please, Okami, I seek the residence of one Atsui. I was told I could find him here ...”
“Hmph. You were told correctly, child. What business do you have with Inushi Atsui?”
“My business is mine and mine alone,” the girl said with a glare. “And I am no child, Okami. He will see me, though. Tell him Ada of the Tywyll Calonau is at the door.”
“Very well,” Merissa said shortly, and shut the door in the girl’s face. “These accursed foreigners, may the Warrior smite them, have gall enough for ten,” she muttered as she returned to her stew. “Let the child sit and learn to restrain her impudence. I shan’t interrupt the Inushi’s peace.”
###
The Inushi was, at that time, not feeling particularly peaceful. Having finished his ablutions, he went to his bedchamber to change his clothes, and found yet another cricket hiding in his wardrobe. “Blasted creature,” he growled, swiping at it with his sandaled foot. The foot-long insect dodged the blow and skittered out the door.
Once he was sure it was gone, Atsui changed his fine silken robes for a set of coarser linen ones, more suitable for wearing inside the house. He took a moment to ensure his dark brown hair was secure in its braid, and placed his green cord of discharge on the table beside his bed. His money pouch followed, but he retained the signet ring upon his right hand. After a brief glance under the bed to ensure no more crickets were lurking, he walked out to the dining area, where Merissa was placing bowls for him, Egisto, and herself. Atsui had insisted, over her protests, that she and Egisto eat with him at nights. True, it was not the accepted protocol; but he could not stand eating alone.
“The stew is nearly ready, Inushi,” she said. Her brief bow was cut off by a pounding at the kitchen door. She scowled deeply.
“Who is that, Merissa?” he asked.
“A foreigner,” she said grimly. “Barely out of her childhood, yet she claims to know you. She mentioned something called Tawish Calonow.”
Atsui was taken aback. “Tywyll Calonau?”
“Or something akin to that,” she said.
“Merissa, you should have come to me at once,” Atsui said sternly. “I know – it was a foreigner. But you should know not just anyone asks for me by name. Allow her entrance, and I will receive her in the guest room.”
Merissa bowed again. “As you wish, Inushi.” She strode back into the kitchen and opened the door fully. “The Inushi will see you now, child. Out the kitchen and to the left.”
Ada fixed her with that stare again. “You try my patience sorely, Okami.” She slipped past Merissa, who felt a chill run down her spine.
“Nonsense,” she muttered as she closed the door again and chained it. “But the Inushi meeting with a foreigner....I feel as if the moons could fall from the sky and it would not surprise me.”
###
Ada came silently into the guest room and nodded to Atsui. “Noswaith dda. Sut ydych chi?” she asked in Crocean.
“I am well,” Atsui responded in kind. “What are you doing here?”
“Come now, no greeting for an old friend?” Ada smiled a wolfish smile which seemed out of place on her diminutive face.
“No greeting for the wizard-assassin of the Black Hearts, no. What are your mercenary friends doing lately?”
“Oh, this and that.” Ada shrugged carelessly. “They move around quite a lot.”
“Yes, I imagine they’re still running after losing Bekktyr to the Enthoriën army.”
She chuckled. “You always were too smart for your own well-being, Atsui. Have you forgotten how we fought with you?”
“No, I have not forgotten. Nor have I forgotten the fact you did it for money.”
“Ah, well. Not everyone can be perfect.”
“Why are you here?” he asked again. “I defile my house by allowing you to stay even this long.”
She clicked her tongue at him with a reproachful look. “Oh, Atsui. Have you fallen back into your old religion so quickly? You honestly think the Watcher sees you, or the Warrior guards you? You believe the Philosopher inspires you, and the Traveler goes with you? You fought in the war same as I. You saw the same carnage as I, men abandoned by their gods and yours. Please, you know it-”
“Silence!” he hissed. “What I believe is not so important as what I am seen to believe. And you jeopardize even that. Make your point and leave, or I will throw you out.”
She laughed. “You are a good swordsman, but throw me out? Honestly now.”
He raised his eyebrows at her. “You think I hired Egisto and his wife for their management skills alone?”
That silenced Ada, and she considered him with intensity. “So,” she said after a moment. “The warrior who took command when his commander fell is still in there. Very well, Inushi Atsui, I will tell you why I am here.” Ada settled onto the bed in the guest room and began toying with one of her daggers. “You know of the misuto-morsu, do you not?”
“I have heard of it, yes.”
“It has been getting steadily worse, especially in the northern kingdoms. Sailors are terrified to leave the docks. I had to bribe and bully my way through three different ports before I could get to Kalastyr.”
“Why should this concern me? Most of my trading is overland.”
“It concerns you for a different reason,” she said, tossing the dagger up and catching it. “The Council of Amara and the Hall of Aurpria are both concerned now. I have a reputation as an efficient... gatherer of information. So, they found me and generously offered me a job.”
“You mean they reduced your jail sentence in exchange for your assistance.”
“Well, yes. Anyway, I thought it would be nice to meet with some of my old friends and see if they had heard anything.”
Atsui raised his eyebrows.
“Yes, and see if they could help me – look, Atsui, this is important.” She leaned forward gravely. “I wouldn’t be bothering you if it weren’t. Honestly, I don’t know what’s going on, and that is more than enough to worry me.”
“It seems to me they gave you a very nebulous assignment.”
“They only know as much as you or I do. If this is a natural occurrence, they need a way to defend against it and predict it. If it’s unnatural, they need the source or sources eliminated. That was the extent of their directions to me.”
“And you came directly to me? I am surprised.”
Ada shrugged. “You were the first person I could think of whom I could trust. And the only one whose last known location hadn’t changed in three years.”
Atsui smiled slightly. “That is a benefit of farming,” he said, speaking in Vestrateni again. “For what kind of help were you hoping?”
Ada glared at him, and said in Crocean: “You know I hate speaking in a language others could overhear and understand.” She switched to Vestrateni. “I wish for someone to travel with me and offer a candid assessment of any information I am able to gather. As well as someone who can handle themselves in a fight, if that should come up.”
Atsui nodded. “I would be willing. As it is near winter, there is very little here on the farm which requires my attention. Allow me to make arrangements with Egisto over the next day. In the meantime, you may eat with us tonight and stay here in the guest room.”
“Thank you,” said Ada wryly.
Atsui paused on his way to the door. “And you will not use your powers,” he said quietly, speaking Crocean again. “Merissa and Egisto are good at managing the household, but they are as prejudiced as most other worshipers of the Aspects.”
“Understood,” she said grimly. “Is dinner ready at the moment?”
“Yes. Let us go eat.”
