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Chapter Twenty: Myst

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City of IF -> A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi

What should Ulliana try and find out first?

Discover Kagemusho's dying moments?

61%

[ 8 ]

Find out about the sword?

15%

[ 2 ]

Find out about Zanthe?

[ 0 ]

Find out about the Crown Prince?

[ 0 ]

Find somewhere to hide out, and just try and move on with her life?

[ 1 ]

(Author Only Option - Do not Vote)

15%

[ 2 ]

Total Votes : 13

Who Voted: Chinaren, Crunchyfrog, ethereal_fauna, Kalanna Rai, Lilith, LordoftheNight, Lordy, Mastermind, NeverNeverGirl, verlius, winter_fey_dragon

#1: Chapter Twenty: Myst Author: LordoftheNight, Location: Hell

Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:06 am
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Chapter Twenty: Myst

Ulliana glanced around at the charging figures to either side of her – apparently her crumpled figure posed no threat, or even distraction to the tide of beasts. Not that she could really blame them – in her condition, she wasn’t much of a threat to anyone, let alone a horde of angry beastmen, intent on revenge.

Leaning on the sword, she pulled herself to her feet, breathing heavily. Fortunately, the shallow cuts left by the shaman were already starting to scab, the few remaining gashes that still bled not worth concerning herself with now. The feline glanced towards where Kagemusho fought, beasts falling backwards with jugulars slashed and limbs torn. Still they flung themselves upon him, uncaring of their own lives.

As she stumbled away from the combat, staying as far from the oncoming beasts as she could, Ulliana felt something wet and salty drip down her cheek. A solitary tear rolled downwards across her face, her grief at Kagemusho’s heroic sacrifice almost overwhelming her. Pausing near the edge of the clearing she turned back once more. More than anything the Rakshasa wanted to throw herself into the thrill of combat, but she knew in her state it would be of no use.

One of the beasts turned, seeing her attempt to slink away, and changed its path to come after her instead. She managed to dodge the brutal lunge, and brought her left arm up, a singing thrust that disembowelled the beast. Her entire body cried out in pain at effort involved, leaving her sprawled out next to her slain creature, panting in exhaustion.

The feline slowly crawled to her feet once more, and, feeling sick to the bottom of her stomach, fled from the clearing, and towards Danzig once more. Behind her, Kagemusho bellowed a challenge to the leader of the herd, Kharnre bellowing his acceptance as he moved to crush the weakening Hoeder.

*********************************************************************

Zanthe sat cross-legged, hovering two feet above the bare wooden floor. His eyes were closed, arms folded, and he seemed completely at ease, despite the flickering black flames that shrouded the entire room. Spiralling outwards from his position, the conflagration blazed as if in a strong wind, twisting within itself and rising into the air, a raging inferno filled the entire room.

The mage’s blonde hair radiated with a fiery brilliance, swirling above his face in the senseless wind, the laws of gravity seemingly suspended during the intensity of the spell. Without warning the sorcerer’s eyes flashed open, the jet black orbs contrasting with the pale skin of his face. With a wave of his arm the fires surrounding him died, their intensity quelled, and swiftly fading into nothingness.

He sank slowly to the floor, which appeared untouched by the raging fires that had just swept through it. In fact the entire room was unharmed, not even a single scorch mark was visible amongst the furniture, despite the devastating furnace that had just burnt itself out.

A knock at the door startled the sorcerer, Zanthe’s arms bursting into flame as he leapt to his feet. Hands blazing with the black fire, he moved to the door, ready to engulf whoever it was should they prove hostile. The knocking sounded again, more urgent this time, and the mage flung open the door, only to extinguish the conflagration as Ulliana fell into his arms, drenched and bedraggled.

“I went to the lodge,” she panted, “snuck into the city through the sewers. They’re dead…some, some animal ripped through them all. Then the watch turned up – they were looking for me. They thought I did it. The merchant…it was him. He…” the feline collapsed, the pain from the thousands of cuts scarring her body finally getting the best of her, and she fell to the ground unconscious.

*********************************************************************

When she awoke, she was cradled in the Zanthe’s arms, the mage carrying her down a flight of stairs. Seeing her move, he hushed her before she tried to speak.

“I’ve done what I could to bind your arm, and eased your pain as far as I could,” he explained. “I’m no healer, but it should hold you up enough to ride. If the city’s been stirred up against you, we should leave immediately. You’re lucky I was leaving on the morrow regardless, my supplies are already packed.”

Drifting in and out of consciousness, it was all the feline could do to nod wearily at him, trusting the sorcerer to protect her. She wasn’t entirely sure why, but she felt safe in his arms, despite the way his hand seemed to inadvertently clutch her breast. Without warning, she felt him come to a halt, and looked up, opening her eyes to see what lay before them.

A small crowd had gathered, blocking their route to the city stables, almost as if they knew which direction the Rakshasa would take. A dozen soldiers stood, scattered among them, looking hesitantly at the mage. Evidently they knew just how powerful he was, and were wondering whether to even try arresting him, or making an equally futile attempt to disperse the crowd.

“There they are!” a voice Ulliana recognised cried out, and she peered into the mass trying to identify it. There. The merchant from the forest stood amidst the crowd, pointing at her and shouting angrily. “Rakshasa filth! Spies and Devil worshippers, the lot of them! You saw what they did to the Inn,” he continued, whipping the throng into a frenzy. “We should burn them – scourge them with holy fire!”

“Hold on,” Zanthe whispered grimly, clutching the feline tightly with his right hand in order to free his left. “They want to see fire? I’ll show them fire. “Naga Naga Aqshy Amora!” he exclaimed, flinging out his free arm towards the crowd. “Dha’aqshy Chamon’phak!”

Dark flames erupted before him, a towering combustion which came swirling out of the ground, a pillar of fire which imposed itself between them and the crowd. Ulliana could hear cries of alarm from the other side of the conflagration, the crowd’s numbers swiftly thinning in the face of Zanthe’s power. As the mage directed the pillar forwards, the remainder of the throng dissipated, rather than be scorched by the raging inferno. At least, Ulliana assumed they would have fled. The ground did seem to crackle strangely as the sorcerer walked over it.

After dispersing the crowd so easily, the pair managed to avoid confrontation as Zanthe carried her towards the stables. Either they simply evaded detection, or no-one else was foolish enough to risk earning the mage’s wrath. Nonetheless, Ulliana was relieved to reach the stables, and paid no heed to the fact one of the doors was shattered, seemingly beyond repair.

“Luperical.” At Zanthe’s whispered call, one of the steeds whinnied, nudging against the confining cell. A magnificent white stallion, his mane dyed a brilliant flame red, stood pawing at the ground, impatient to run free once more. As Zanthe lifted her onto his mount’s back, she glanced around, seeing how the other dozen horses seemed frightened, cowering at the backs of their individual cells.

“What…what’s wrong with them?” she asked as the mage slid on behind her, holding the Rakshasa tightly to his chest. “They seem almost afraid of something.” All she received was a shrug for her questions, Zanthe evidently as puzzled as she was. Silently, the pair rode through the winding back-alleys of the city, heading towards the Eastern Gate. Ulliana was about to ask how he intended to pass through after curfew, yet before she had the chance he turned aside, heading instead to one of the smaller exits that ringed the city walls. Zanthe handed over a small purse to the guard, collecting a larger bag in return, which he attached to the saddle. After a few terse words were exchanged, in some form of code the feline failed to understand, the soldier slid aside the bars to the gate, letting them through.

“Baron Marlow banned me from his city years ago,” he explained, as they galloped on through the night. “Most of the guards are old companions of mine, and know I come regardless, but I generally make an effort to keep a low profile. I should probably stay away for a while now.” He fell silent for a while, gazing up at the stars. “It’s a two day ride to Myst,” he began again. “Why don’t you fill me on what happened to you?”

Ulliana did so, trying to skip briefly over Kagemusho’s sacrifice on her behalf. She couldn’t prevent a solitary tear from dripping down her face as she spoke though, one the mage carefully restrained from prying into. Once her tale was done, she told him others, the pair exchanging stories with one another. Zanthe told her tales of battle, fighting in the King’s name against the foes of Dartain, of great victories, of personal valour, of comrades lost. Ulliana told him about her time on the streets of Alphabaks, stealing to make her living. She carefully left out the real reason she had been forced to flee though, instead spinning a tale of rival gang leaders pressing in on her territory.

“When we reach the White Towers, the first thing is to get you to a Healer,” Zanthe told her as they neared the city. “Your wounds need proper medical attention – I’ve done all I can, but you’re in no state to do anything stressful. And from what I’ve heard, there’s no chance you’ll be satisfied with that. After that, I guess it’s up to you. I’ll be available some of the time, and will escort you around the city using my connections, but will have to leave you from time to time I’m afraid. What are your plans?”

Last edited by LordoftheNight on Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:28 am; edited 6 times in total

#2: Author: LordoftheNight, Location: Hell

Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:15 am
—
Right. Well, it's two minutes later than expected, because my computer is crap on a plate, but there's not much I can do about that until my time-machine starts working again.

Still, there's a new chapter up, and that's got to be a good thing, right?

The Decision Point is what to do while in Myst. I'm expecting this to be mainly a case of magically aided information gathering, but I want suggestions on what sort of things she should be trying to find out. Zanthe's been around a while, and he's got connections with most of the power in the city, so try to have fun.

Various ideas off the top of my head:

Find out about the sword.
Find out about Kagemusho's dying moments.
Find out about the Crown Prince (remember, this is a city of Dartain, so telling them everything might be a bad idea).

So, yeah - any ideas of your own would be good.

Oh, and add it to your favourites if you love me, and add it to your favourites if you don't. See what I'm getting at here?

#3: Author: NeverNeverGirl, Location: dreaming away of tomorrows to come

Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:00 pm
—
well i def think that Zanthe could be an item of interest to her...

and she needs to find out about the sword..

maybe also a bit more info about Kagemusho... she misses him and stuff... and why he was sent to her..

#4: Author: Chinaren, Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 12:57 am
—
Finally got around to reading this Lordy! A well written chapter. Good stuff.

I don'thave anything wild to suggest for the DP though. I say concnetrate on the sword to start with.

#5: Author: Crunchyfrog,

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:34 am
—
Oh definitely Kagemusho's dying moments. Didn't she notice anything strange about him? Or maybe she was too injured to notice. And has he really died, or is this K'zon character going to take over his carcass?

I'd go for that option - although I dunno if Ulliana would, if she hadn't noticed anything strange.

#6: Author: Mephistopheles, Location: Not where I want to be.

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:38 am
—
finally read your latest chapter, and well, I just wanted to say that it is really good stuff. can't really add to the suggestions though. Good job lordy.

#7: Author: DELETED,

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:34 am
—
DELETED

#8: Author: Kalanna Rai, Location: The Frozen North

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 6:34 pm
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Okay, just did get around to it.

I'd say to stick with her new ally as much as possible while she heals, then when she's better to try to get to the real bottom of his identity.

#9: Author: Lilith, Location: Happily curled up in a Daemon's lap

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 1:56 pm
—
Well written, Lordy, very well written.... it is too bad you don't write more often but, meh... I've got no room to talk and it gives me the time to catch up.

That being said, I have to agree with Zephyr on this:

Quote:

And shouldn’t she have caught on to the fact that something was REALLY strange about him suddenly showing up right then? Especially considering she was out there looking for herbs that would heal him from nearly mortal wounds from which he shouldn’t have awakened from in quite a while to come?

However, she could have been in such a state of physical strain that this wouldn't have hit.. but I do think she should suddenly think of it and attempt to jump out of the saddle from the shock.* Shocked

Also, the sword and the Crown Prince are both swell ideas.. and the above is an obvious interpretation that finding out about Kagemusho is as well...

I'm gonna have to say I'm on the fence .. but all of these options are good ones.. although I don't see why she couldn't do them all after seeing a healer. *shrugs* But, that's just me rambling.

Again, well written.

*Totally random dept.

#10: Author: Guest,

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 1:58 am
—
Who will win Best New Storygame / Linear?

This award sponsored by Geek Girl's 'I Don't Believe in Fate' is a worthy prize for the latest storygames appearing in IF!

Get yourselves along to the IFY's 2007 now and have your say!

#11: Author: LordoftheNight, Location: Hell

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:31 am
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Nice to meet you Bill.

Everyone else (though feel free to vote as well Bill) - the poll is up. Vote for whatever option you think should Ulliana should investigate first.

And btw - all of you using my 'author only option idea' without paying me royalties, you owe me money.

If you add Fronte to favourites, I'll let you off.

#12: Author: Lilith, Location: Happily curled up in a Daemon's lap

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 1:26 pm
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*Thwaps the Bob on Lordy* Oops.. sorry Lordy I meant to hit him not you... *fingers crossed*

Voted!

#13: Author: Guest,

Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:31 am
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Voted the first option. Smile

#14: Author: Crunchyfrog,

Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 6:42 am
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Good God. I thought for a moment there'd been another chapter...

Shocked

#15: Author: Guest,

Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:04 am
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Ah, sorry. I'll shorten my sig. I can see it bothers you, maybe even others.

#16: Author: Crunchyfrog,

Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:44 pm
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Not at all. For a moment I thought that Lordy had actually opened up a Word document.... Wink

#17: Author: NeverNeverGirl, Location: dreaming away of tomorrows to come

Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:08 pm
—

Crunchyfrog wrote:

Not at all. For a moment I thought that Lordy had actually opened up a Word document.... Wink

I too suffered a heart palpitation (or lack thereof)..

COME ON LORDY! WE KNOW YOU HAVE THAT PRESTIGIOUS AWARD TO LIVE UP TOO BUT GOOD GRIEF!!!!

#18: Author: ethereal_fauna, Location: USA

Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:28 pm
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Still have a bit of re-reading to do, to let all the details I've missed soak in. Great story, and glad I'm getting to catch up on it. Smile

Kagemusho's dying moments will be of interest to her once she's capable of looking into it. I don't think she should delve too deeply into her new ally just yet- sometimes when you're asking enough hard questions, it's best to just accept the help you get.

#19: Author: winter_fey_dragon, Location: ohio

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:08 pm
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highly interesting storygame. i believe she should find out about the sword ^_^

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