Session 14: Kastayos’ People Report

Now together, the party discussed their next plan. They could either remain near the ruins of the fort, depart to safer ground, leave altogether, etc. Remaining proved the most popular, as it secured the Vojun and kept to familiar country, better than ranging into unknown countries with strange beasts and enemies wandering about. For the purpose they began the construction of a triangular fortification, with the bottom of the metaphorical triangle as the pit, while two earthen walls jut out from it, pointed toward the boat in case of swift escape. Oradyol began to shovel the ground while Thelastor drew the boundaries. Rhomod and Yaza tucked into food and a fire. Getas went back toward his vessel to gather more bodies to expediate the process.

Down by the beach, Arelastod was still digging away with his newfound shoveling prowess. It was tedious, difficult, and boring work, and thus his eyes started to wander across the tree-line. Tangled wilderness loomed all around him, casting crossing shadows of deepening darkness into the undergrowth. Amidst the gloom Arelastod noticed three figures emerging- disheveled and gross in appearance, as if buried in all the filth the country had to offer. He blinked a time or two, then took notice of who they were- an adult man and woman, along with a youthful girl… a familiar appearing girl. Arelastod’s heart lurched. It was the girl from the village, the one they nearly killed, he knew it immediately. These refugees entered the camp- whereupon the sergeant halted them to speak, Arelastod shuffled forward to listen. Their words were quiet and brief, but the sergeant nodded a sympathetic head, and thereafter took them to eat some food and rest. Arelastod quickly stepped to him to explain the danger- these were evil people, he recognized the girl, they fought previously, and she summoned a Nith’eshan. The sergeant was totally uninterested in such mad ramblings and bid Arelastod return to work.

A short time later, Getas arrived back at the boat with his warriors and prepared to gather the others. Arelastod swiftly stepped over and again attempted to explain that these newcome people were evil, enemies of their cause, but Getas looked over to him and asked, “Are these truly the same people you speak about, or do all poor people appear the same to you?” Arelastod was caught hard by that, but stammered out that these were the people, he knew it. Worse, they knew him. Much alike the sergeant, Getas was uninterested, but when Arelastod explained that the girl summoned a Nith’eshan, Getas was much more attentive. What? He grasped Arelastod by the arm and dragged him to these people, proceeding to question them on their situation and what brought them to this place. The girl spoke foremost among them, while the parents were wholly silent. She explained that her village was destroyed by the beasts and that they escaped down toward the ocean. Getas asked further questions to clarify, but she maintained that story throughout. The parents were strange in their lack of response, either to questions or stimuli, only answering when hard pressed but otherwise deferring always to Eziha. Getas decided to take them with the warriors on the march, despite the protests of Arelastod.

Upon returning to the camp, the warriors arranged themselves to begin digging the fortifications at Thelastor’s guidance. The refugees settled on the grass to eat and rest. Arelastod rushed over to Rhomod to report the girl- it was that girl, YES, the same from the village. She was here and probably seeking revenge. Rhomod was baffled, news then caught to Yaza, then the others. Who was this person? We met her in the village when Xeyesh killed their leader… Thelastor stopped them there- they killed Ebrihin? Rhomod and Arelastod quickly admitted to it, but turned blame to Xeyesh who ordered the Eyti beasts to tear the man apart. This news was strange enough, let along the following news that this girl summoned a Nith’eshan. Thelastor, Orellos, and Getas marched over to Eziha to question them, not trusting the others anywhere near. Their questioning was blunt and harsh, what real purpose brought them here? The refugee story was all lies, they knew it, just offer the truth. Eziha took the bombardment in stride, saying that they had no special purpose. Thelastor did not believe her. Answer honestly, he said, or there would be consequences. Eziha looked up to the trio, then stood up. She smiled and pointed to the Sun, Moon, and Stars of Acolitus upon Orellos- her job was complete, she had seen all she needed to see.

Silence. Eziha said nothing beyond. Getas grew frustrated, reached down and grasped her around the throat, lifted her and brought her to the pit. The parents did nothing. He stepped to the edge, and roared that he would cast her down if she continued lying. NO MORE OF IT! She simply smiled, and offered for them both to fall. She reached out, grasped his sides, and heat and light began to emerge, melting away the steel plates. With power now revealed, Getas withdrew both from the edge while Thelastor ran over to subdue her. He clasped her in his arms, not allowing any movement. Getas stood up to see portions of molten metal drip to the grass. In that moment, Xeyesh stepped forward to Thelastor and Eziha in arms, and looked her in the eyes. He asked her if she remembered him- her grews flashed with fury, Thelastor felt her arms attempt to rise, but Xeyesh waited for no retaliation. He extended his claws and slashed right across Eziha’s throat, cutting a bloody swathe. Blood gushed down her chest. Thelastor’s eyes grew side and he yelled out in anger, but it was for nothing. Before she could be laid upon the ground for treatment the life was extinguished from her body.

Thelastor roared out in frustration of what caused that rash action- Xeyesh gave no straightforward answer, but the whole party collapsed into argument. Orellos silenced them, and restated that hunting down this Nith’eshan was not their best hope of survival. Building a fort was no longer an option- waiting would be to their destruction, especially now that Kastayos knew that he, and thus Acolitus, were in league with the party. Without a prisoner to interrogate and their surprise of time and personnel revealed, the party was trapped into a three-walled cage. The only way was forward. Thelastor, Rhomod, and Orellos agreed upon it as experienced warriors, for taking the offensive takes the initiative. Moreover, Kastayos was familiar with their slower, cautious style- fortifying and moving deliberately from place to place. Dramatically switching to the offensive might be sufficient advantage to grant them a chance. A plan was thus made to seek Kastayos in whatever place he dwelled, either in the village or some other place altogether.

While the digging was done, Xeyesh sat aside the great pit where the fort once stood. He felt the ground where the Vojunic yet bled in small amounts as smoke, and peered down to where the flesh fo Rhokun was nibbled and torn in sheets. He called to the small winged beasts created from that power and bid they come to him. He was the Wheel and Way, and would make them whole. He spoke in the Eshanic tongue which was root of all languages, and they came forth in small numbers- around 10 in all. They spoke no words but utterly small noises and were as companion animals, remaining close to a new master and perching on his shoulders. The other party members were disturbed, no doubt, but Xeyesh explained that every ally was necessary for this battle.