Rastislav
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Arc 8 Chapter LII: The Unmourned
🕑 Added 2024-12-20 21:20:52 +0000 UTC(General POV)
He observed them as they approached the encampment, only ever moving his actual eyes from his current customer as the Mer herself turned to see what the commotion was about.
'So that is what he wanted...' He was unsure if he wanted to curse the one who sent him here or thank him, he supposed he would find out soon enough.
His... Ashkhan, as he chose to call himself now, had sent him north under the pretense of orichalcum trade so that he may bear witness to something. It was all frustratingly vague and made him want to break something but he was not foolish enough to gainsay his father's orders.
Once was far, far more than enough.
And so he gathered three of his kinsmen, and made the trek to the north and west, trading with the lesser tribes of the land for supplies and information for two whole weeks before finally meeting up with the Urshilaku and getting the permission to stay a while.
They were acceptable hosts, if one took their means into account anyway.
He had almost began to doubt his stay there until everyone saw a ball of ash-less space slowly approaching the camp, once more confirming to him that dealing with seers was incredibly irritating and to be avoided at all times.
Still, he keenly focused his sight at the newcomers and was immediately awed by what he saw... To so brazenly wear Sixth House heraldry, and to enter an Ashlander tribe with head held high...
He shook his head at the mere thought of it and observed the short meeting, having to hold back a sneer of disgust as the 'Wise Woman' preached the ways of her gods and demanded that someone far beyond her bow to her whims.
Only the amused humoring of the preacher kept him from scoffing loudly, as he found the reaction rather apt to the ants prattling.
Still, he would have to find a way to approach things, as the situation was resolving itself rather swiftly and missing an opportunity like this one would be beyond shameful. He would just have to-
In an instant a gaze focused on him, the power behind it was of such magnificent depth that he found his own a pale imitation, something he knew to be a fact yet only now truly understood.
And yet, no actual attention was paid to him, as the group marched his stall by, and headed to the Ashkhan's tent, no doubt to explain the commotion and stop the bellicose elf from rallying the entire tribe for no reason.
He waited for the appropriate amount of time for his customers to disperse, and quickly packed up his stall, his kinsmen following after him as he made for their collective tent, the moment all of them gathered the atmosphere inside became tense.
"You have all seen it." He said.
The sole woman of their number scoffs "Accuse us of blindness, why don't you?"
"Shut it, Azra." A thin yet tall elf next to her growls "We have more important things to consider than your constant complaints."
Their strongly built comrade steps in between them "Peace, please" He raises his hands slightly in placation and looks to the thin one "What are your thoughts Vemris?"
Taking the simple out, the thin elf scowls "What is there to think Kralor? We have all seen him, and felt his presence. To delay a meeting any further would be an insult to the Ancestors of the highest order."
"And yet it would also be imprudent to reveal ourselves too quickly." The leader finally spoke.
Azra visibly held back another sarcastic retort but still managed an eyeroll "There is caution and then there is cowardice, Ulthis."
"Besides" Kralor rumbles "We've all felt his gaze, pretending otherwise would be as impertinent as Vemris said."
Hesitantly, Ulthis agreed with their assessment "Yes."
"And you still hesitate." Vemris drawls though is careful to keep the true mockery from his tone "What should we do then, oh glorious leader?" That the zealous elf even bothered to remain instead of running out to meet his perceived destiny said more about his loyalty than anything ever could.
Kralor's open palm smacks into the thin elf's back, nearly bawling him over as his larger kinsman gave him a long look.
Ulthis on the other hand, simply sighed "Things are moving far too quickly for me to make an informed decision..." The thoughts of what could happen kept playing in his mind as scenario after dreadful scenario made itself apparent.
"Come now my friend" Kralor approaches him and grabs his shoulder reassuringly "You may be young yet but you are not so weak as to be scared by mere awkwardness."
The cutting bluntness of Kralor's choice of words did much to bring him out of his stupor, the very well hidden accusation held within took all of his choice "Yes" He nodded hesitantly "Such cowardice is unbecoming. Best face the music now instead of prolonging it needless-"
Before he could finish the sentence, all of them felt a shift in the air and rounded to the tent's entrance, only to still completely as they beheld a massive behemoth clad in ebony, its glowing purple eyes staring at them with disdainful judgement for a long moment before it simply pointed a thumb at the way it came "My master bids you to attend him."
(Reyvin's POV)
"To think the lizards would strike at us once again..." The powerfully built Ashkhan sighs as I finish recounting the tale of Kragenmoor.
"I told you once before." The Wise Woman cuts in from close by "Slavery always was and always will be an abomination, practicing it always invites the Destroyer's gaze without fail."
Tapping the sturdy table I was seated at I hum along in agreement "I find myself in agreement, though my reasoning goes beyond Mehrunes' hissy fits" The air around me crackles with cruel amusement, though only I and the crone notice it.
"Oh?" The Ashkhan, one Abbasel Urshamusa looks at me with interest "And why else would slavery punish itself? Dear Rawia here has been rather insistent it only ever had to do with the Destroyer's aspect of rebellion."
And this is where I, totally not as an act of petty revenge for having to listen to about hunting techniques for two whole ass hours, descend into a presentation about the societal and economic implications of slavery and why it was almost universally a shit choice in the long run.
Let us just say that by the time I was done, the Ashkhan looked like I had just drained his soul out of him, and the Wise Woman was humming along happily, even as she drifted off into a tided old woman nap.
"Oh my, it would seem I have gotten a bit too invested into the tale." I smirk at the poor elf.
He winces but is still obligated to be a polite host "No, no, your insights are invaluable I am... certain of it!"
Grinning internally I shake my head "I understand that people may not share interests, so how about we both return to the topic that truly matters."
He hesitates for a moment but nods "Indeed, your request was a rather demanding one but if you hold to your promise of supplies I see no reason not to summon the others."
"I am a Mer of my word" I raise a theatrical hand "I assure you, that should the tribes agree to meet at Ald'Ruhn I will ensure none of you starve throughout the winter, and possibly even beyond."
Rawia the Wise Woman's eyes narrow at that, her gaze attempting uselessly to pierce the information from within me.
The Ashkhan was far less enthused by what he suspected were simply empty promises and we shared some more pleasantries before I excused myself from the tired duo, ostensibly so that both parties could rest up and enjoy a moment's peace.
My true intentions were to answer Junior's call, now that his task was done.
Savos and the Erabenimsun had long since left the great yurt, the warriors to spar and my grandfather to meditate on a question I had posed him, while Indoril remained within, eager to speak to the Wise Woman to the point of willingly weathering her scathing looks.
And so, more than satisfied with the results, I left the tent followed closely by a silent Anondor, the snow elf almost as uncomfortable with this island as Scorch was, and speaking of the dreaded bird man.
"Still feeling like the place is trying to suffocate you?" I ask him as I summon him atop my shoulder.
He stays silent for a bit longer than usual, his eyes staring into the constant ash storms outside the wards I discreetly empowered "I used to like Sheo ya know" He chirps "But now I am not so sure."
"I wouldn't blame him for it honestly" I say "It was Vivec who kept his giant 'fuck you' rock floating above his city for hundreds of years just so he could blackmail his followers into worshiping him further."
"Too bad the little bitch is hiding somewhere." Scorch's voice turns dark "I wonder how his eyes would taste."
"You really need to get that ocular fixation checked." I snort "But I do agree he is in for a stabbing if we ever meet him."
"Treats are treats" He immediately denies before quickly adding "Especially when sparkly. Just because your featherless ass doesn't have taste doesn't mean the rest of us need to suffer."
Before our conversation could devolve further, we reached our destination within a hidden alcove at the edge of the campsite, completely hidden from sight and perfect for some light questioning. Questioning that would seemingly take no true effort if the postures of the four mildly terrified elves surrounding Akulakhan were anything to go by.
However, the moment I stepped into the small alcove, the four immediately zeroed in on me, all of their faces carrying an odd mix of awe and reverence, tinged with a lot of fear and hesitance.
Ah, so that is what this was about.
Before I could even make one gods damned comment on the unexpected revelation, all four of them practically threw themselves onto the ground in prostration, and I am not talking a low bow here, but a full on fucking forehead-to-dirt honest to Dagoth kowtow.
Feeling a sudden throbbing throughout the entirety of my head, something supposed to be a physical impossibility at this point, all I could do in response was pinch the bridge of my nose and hold back a groan.
(General POV)
Dagoth Ulthis did not dare raise his head as he felt the judgement of his god upon his shoulders, neither of his companions so much as twitching either and as the silence protracted even breathing begun feeling like an insult.
The mere thought of delaying this meeting now felt like the greatest of sins, as the faint traces of the divine disease inherited from their ancestors practically sang into their ears, promising greatness and ascension as a mother would sing a lullaby.
A long, tired sigh finally cut through the tension "Rise." The lord spoke and they all did, though Vemris looked particularly hesitant.
Even as they refused to meet his eyes he spoke still "Junior, were they like this when you found them?"
What!? Had they insulted him in some way?!
"No, my master." The oddly named giant spoke "It seems proximity is a factor."
At least the creature knew its place!
"Is there something wrong with these Mer, my lord?" The brightly armored warrior behind the master of their existence "They seem... off."
A poor unblessed fool would never be able to taste the truest of exaltations all of them were feeling right now. Ulthis felt his hand twitch to his dagger, even the mere thought of an impertinent fool not appreciating the blessing they were give-
"Yes" Their lord and master answered and all of them felt a pit in their stomach "Dear old Voryn seems to have had a thing for control... how entirely unsurprising."
The Corprus within roiled at the implication the words carried, and the four felt their whole beings begin to shudder as the contradiction attempted to resolves itself.
"Something that needs fixing posthaste it would seem." The Dagoth said and suddenly a force descended upon the word, unnatural grey flame surrounding all of them in an instant and striking at the disease, not banishing it but instead removing all influence that was not their own.
In a singular instant all of their minds returned to them.
"Well then." All four members of the Tribe Unmourned posing as Ashlanders looked up and met a pair of glowing red eyes accompanied by an expression of pure amusement "How about we try that again?"
Part of Ulthis felt tempted to throw himself to the ground once more, a fact he would take to the grave.
