Hunter & Prey: Tavern Revisited

new

« Prev
1
Next »

Admin
Administrator

Alethea is Lynn Collins... anything else you wanna know... ask

Posts: 1,749

Hunter & Prey: Tavern Revisited Nov 10, 2014 9:58:46 GMT

Post by Admin on Nov 10, 2014 9:58:46 GMT

« Thread started on: Mar 2nd, 2013, 7:21pm »

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Circle chambers were dim, save for a shaft of illumination that poured down from the vaulted ceilings to rest on Jashin's shoulders. The Divarian was on his knees with his feet crossed behind him, hands positioned just so before him on the cold stone floor. Though the Circle was in session, he kept his head bowed as Ero had instructed him. He had been summoned on a matter of the utmost importance, his master had cautioned, and Jashin was not about to make a fool of himself or his superiors by indulging in idle curiousity. Now and again whispered words would flit to his blade-like ears--still such an alien feeling even after months of being released from Carmine's curse--but he could not piece more than one or two together at a time. His legs tingled a bit and his mind tried to wander, but Jashin gathered himself together and remained calm and still within the pillar of light. His presence would be explained in due time.

"Apprentice Jashin," a voice called from the high dias. "Are you prepared to stand before the Circle of Nine?"

After a moment of thought, he replied. "I am prepared when the Circle calls."

"How can you be prepared when you are not aware of why you have been summoned?" another voice called, voice slightly amused.

"The why is irrelevant," the Divarian offered. "The Circle has called and I have answered. If I am to receive discipline for an error, I am prepared; if I am to receive commendation for a triumph, I am prepared. The arrow does not ask why the archer draws it, or why the bow sends it where it's master wills--it merely does what it was designed to do."

There was a slight mutter from the Circle. Jashin felt a spark of joy flicker inside, but he snuffed it out and returned himself to calm.

"And what," the first voice returned, "were you designed to do?"

"My Goddess created me to serve Her." There was another susurrus from the dias, but Jashin continued. "My duty is to the People. My ears cannot hear the Goddess, and my eyes cannot see the path She has set before me. Yet what I can see and here, the path I can walk, has led me to Conclave. The masters have sheltered me, freed me, and trained me to serve a larger purpose than myself. The People were designed as protectors of Enos in times of old; Conclave was forged to protect as well. I am a guardian."

"You have told us nothing of your people or nation," a third voice sighed. "Nothing of where you come from. You claim fealty to your Goddess, yet you also have pledged your loyalty to the Conclave. If you were to receive an order that went against your religious and political beliefs, which would you choose?"

Jashin sighed inwardly, but his voice was firm. "If the two were to come into direct conflict without the possibility of resolution, my loyalty to my nation would prevail without hesitation."

"Are you admitting to the possibility that you would willingly allow yourself to violate the teachings of Conclave and defy those of superior station?" There was a hint of venom in the first voice. "Would you betray us?

A low growl escaped Jashin's throat before he could stop himself. Gritting his teeth, he sucked in a deep breath and held it until his calm returned.

"During the War of Children," Jashin stated flatly, daring not to let even the barest hint of emotion touch his voice, "the Chiera were on the verge of total domination. Very few pockets of resistence were left amongst the Lesser Races, and only the strongest sanctuaries amongst the Elder Races were inviolate. Without the continued support from the Elder, the Lesser would have been converted or destroyed. It was at that dark point in history when the Elder and Lesser Races came together to form the Conclave, a unified front against the Chiera. Though a mere shadow of its former glory, Conclave was founded on mortal resolve, Aelfan patience, Umavan wisdom, and Divarian strength."

"A history lesson?" the third laughed. "How is that an answer?"

"The laws and traditions of Conclave find their root in the many laws and traditions of its people... including the Divari. If an order were to be given by a member of Conclave that were to violate the mandates of the People, it would be a perversion of ancient law. To stand against such an order would not be the act of a traitor."

"Although they have not been seen on Enos in centuries," the first offered, "the honor of the Elder Races is legendary. Your answer has merit."

"Yet do you understand that Conclave is apart from all other nations?" the second sighed. "Conclave is goverend by the Circle, and the Circle answers to the will of the world and not any given ruler. As iconic as your people might believe themselves, it has already been proven that not all are above subversion. Is not the current plight of your nation due to corruption within the political structure?"

Arador. Jashin hissed. Why would his brother have done such a thing, to bring a matter of the People before the Lesser Races like this? What else had he told them about their home?

"My brother's speculations have merit, Master," he said. "Yet I would like to offer that there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that such an act of betrayal reaches into our government. The noble Houses have protected the People since our creation. I will not believe that has changed until I see concrete proof."

"Very well," the second murmured. "Yet the point remains that Conclave is not the shield or arm of any particular government or people. We are not tools of war, but servants of Enos. We were formed to bring balance to the world, to seek out corruption and evil and destroy it. To this end, we must sometimes work in tandem with nations that hold traditions contrary to our own. Our strength and--to some extent--immunity come from the agreement that we are nothing more than an augmentation to the laws of the nations we serve. By your statement, you would be unwilling to assist Conclave if it were called to expel any corruption that may arise within your own nation unless it could provide you with adamant proof of its existence."

"Evil," the first added, "by its very nature, is clever and elusive. It can wear the face of good even as it corrupts. You must come to accept that, if Conclave calls upon you to stand against your own nation, it is only because evil has been revealed and must be dealt with."

"It appears we all have things to consider," the third grunted. "Yet we have gathered ourselves together for a reason, and it should not be ignored for idle speculation. How does the Circle find the apprentice and his answers?"

"I am satisfied," the first replied.

"I am well satisfied," the second agreed.

In turn, each of the Circle offered their answer. There was only one voice among them that claimed Jashin was lacking. He would have given much to know in what area he had failed to perform, but the thought prowled on the edge of his calm like a cat in the night. It was something that could wait, must wait. Jashin tried to flex his calves and wiggle his toes a bit to keep them from falling completely asleep, but his body had been still for too long and failed to respond. He silently prayed that the Circle did not ask him to stand quickly.

"Very well," the first voice called out finally and with an air of formality, "In accordance with the laws and traditions of the Conclave of Hunters, and the will of its Grandmasters, the title of Adept is hereby offered. Jashin, do you accept this rank and its responsibilities?"

The Divarian nodded. "I am honored to accept the position and all rights and responsibilities involved."
« Last Edit: Apr 30th, 2014, 12:41am by Jason Wolfe »

Admin
Administrator

Alethea is Lynn Collins... anything else you wanna know... ask

Posts: 1,749

Hunter & Prey: Tavern Revisited Nov 10, 2014 9:59:40 GMT

Post by Admin on Nov 10, 2014 9:59:40 GMT

« Reply #1 on: Mar 7th, 2013, 10:20pm »

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A moon later, Jashin found himself back before the Circle. His fali'sara, freshly polished yet reflecting only the strongest of light, lay before him on the stone floor. Head bowed, the divarian waited patiently for the grandmasters to finish their hushed discussion and give him their attention. As he waited, he marveled at the odd tingle of his skin that exuded from his armor through his uniform. Forgemaster Garbali has visited him earlier that morning to check on the "bonding process," warning him that he might feel an odd twitch from time to time. In truth, Jashin felt quite comfortable in the Hunter's uniform--neither hot nor cold.

The thick cuirass of grahidal felt a bit snug about his chest, but the blacksmith had been forced to make alterations for Jashin's unusual physique. Bracers and greaves of the same material enclosed his forearms and calves. Jashin suppressed the urge to shift that he might hear the whisper of the Falbairnish chainmail protecting his biceps and thighs, hard as stone but woven fine enough to rival a tradesman's coat. The ibliha would take a bit of getting used to, for it tickled his chin when he was prostrate, and the heavy cloth flowing down his back threatened to tangle in his legs if he moved wrong. Yet this was his uniform, his life, and he swelled inwardly with pride every time he saw his reflection.

Jashin could feel more than see Ero's eyes on him, even before he heard the familiar grunt that let the lad know he had done something his master had found particularly childish. Yet as master had fitted apprentice for this meeting, the old man had regaled Jashin with tales of his own first summons as an adept. The divarian had hoped to share this moment with his brother as well, but Arador was already a week gone on an assignment of his own. Since reuniting with his brother Jashin had entertained the idea of the two of them fighting together, side by side. Arador, however, had already been established at Conclave before Jashin's arrival and was too far advanced for any hope of the brothers to be found working the same assignment.

"Adept Jashin, attend us." The divarian leaned back on his heels and folded his hands in his lap, eyes forward. "After much care and consideration on the part of the Circle, we have decided to place you in the field by month's end."

Behind the adept's shoulder, Ero whispered a bitter curse. Yet Jashin's calm remained.

"When you have been examined and found satisfactory to the Forgemaster, you will report to our Aisani chapter near the hamlet of Falsbarg. There, you will receive detailed instructions for the following assignment." A rustling of parchment could be heard within the surrounding darkness. "A fortnight past, rumors began to surface of strange lights in the high hills east of Falsbarg, accompanied by what locals describe as 'a frenzied howling.' Our listeners have also reported an influx of Were into the region, though it is unclear at this time whether the two incidents have anything to do with one another. What troubles us is the complete lack of chiera presence; though they are extremely well-hidden in this region, not a single sign of vampire movement has been detected. Either this gathering is so important to the chiera that they are employing powerful countermagicks in order to move on it--"

"Or they are purposefully letting it happen," Ero murmured at Jashin's shoulder, "because they intend to be a part of it."

"That is our suspicion as well." There was a quiet discussion amongst the Circle before one of the Grandmasters continued. "The Were of Aisan have long been supporters of the Silver Accord, the treaty agreed upon after the War of Children that allots each race rights to a given territory. Gatherings of more than one Alpha in a territory are forbidden, as it changes the balance of power in the region."

"If I may, sires," Ero interjected, taking a half-step forward more fully into the light. "Falsbarg is a community of farmers and not much else. Beyond the Hasdran Peninsula, it offers almost no tactical advantage to anyone."

"Tactical, no," the grandmaster agreed. "Political, however, is a different matter entirely. As you mentioned the peninsula, it should be noted that a small enclave of chiera has a compound there. It houses one of their noble families, and more specifically one of their so-called Princes. This enclave has been, until recently, ignored because it has not attempted to expand outside of the compound's environs. Yet, as also has been stated, there has been no response to the Were gathering from either this Prince or his allies. This disturbs the Conclave."

Another of the grandmasters shifted in their seat, the flicker of shadow engulfed in darkness. "What also disturbs Conclave is the fact that there is a foreigner amongst them, obviously not of their kind. Neither slave nor prisoner, she moves from camp to camp unhindered. Our listeners believe she may be chieran as well, as she is only seen at night."
« Last Edit: May 4th, 2014, 12:25pm by Jason Wolfe »

Last Edit: Nov 23, 2014 5:39:48 GMT by Jashin

Admin
Administrator

Alethea is Lynn Collins... anything else you wanna know... ask

Posts: 1,749

Hunter & Prey: Tavern Revisited Nov 10, 2014 10:00:22 GMT

Post by Admin on Nov 10, 2014 10:00:22 GMT

« Reply #2 on: May 4th, 2014, 12:37pm »

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Your assignment," the first continued gruffly, "will be three-fold once you arrive in Falsbarg. First, you are to assess whether the gathering of the Were in the high hills and the mysterious lights are related. Second, you are to ascertain the reason for the gathering of Were and the violation of the Accord. Third, and most importantly, you are to identify the foreigner in their midst and determine their function. While it is possible that she is serving as some manner of ambassador between the two alphas, no assumptions should be made. If the Were are completely unaware of her existence, it may mean a new form of concealment magick; if there is no subterfuge and she is not an agent of peace, she must be investigated further and potentially removed."

"With all due respect to the Circle, Jashin is not ready for such an assignment." The tone in Ero's voice put the divarian's hackles up, for there was a hint of panic in it. "Although my talinj has made great strides in controlling the energies inherent in his body, he is not fully returned to the form of his people. I am not confident in his combative abilities in high-stress situations against other preternatural races like the Moonborn. I would also add that placing him in a situation where he may face one of the Blood would be tantamount to murder. I respectfully request that another Hunter be given the assignment, one of at least sejir rank."

There was barely a breath before an answer came. "Request denied. The Circle is aware of Adept Jashin's condition and has deemed him suitable for reconnaissance work. We gave no order for him to engage any targets, and he is not expected to meet with combat save for self-defense at his discovery. He is to simply gather whatever intelligence he can without risking himself, and report back to Conclave."

"All combat, Master Marsavis, is high-stress," the second grandmaster grumbled. "As for his history with the chiera, Conclave has deemed the risk to his person to be moderate to low. His people are naturally immune to their accursed powers as you well know. Whatever was done to the lad to set him as their slave was trauma, pure and simple. As Adept Jashin has regained his sense of self, Conclave feels that he is ready to begin his duties."

"If Conclave were confident in my student," Ero countered coolly, "it would have elevated him to full-fledged sejir and given him better access to the tools and techniques necessary for an undertaking of this nature. This is not a gathering of mortal men and women, sires, where any talinj would be challenged to move undetected. These are Were, hunters and warriors trained from birth to scent out their foes and kill them. When I was a Hunter, this would have taken at least an anjir and a trio of sejir; now Conclave proposes to send a single talinj into the wolves' den?"

One of the grandmasters hissed. "How poignant of you to remind the Circle that you are not, indeed, a Hunter any longer, Master Ero. Perhaps you should also remember that your title as Master is purely honorary, and that your skills and knowledge make you a prized adviser to Conclave. The Circle thought to include you on this briefing as a courtesy, not because it sought your council on how it should proceed. Conclave will use its resources when and how it sees fit as the Circle decides, and the Circle has determined that Adept Jashin is prepared for this assignment."

"Waste," Ero growled.

"Pardon?" There was a growing steel in the grandmaster's voice. "Was there something you care to add, Master Ero?"

"Amend, actually," the man corrected. "Conclave will waste its resources when and how it sees fit, sire. But since you were so kind to offer, yes, there is something I would care to add: I may not be a Hunter anymore in title, but that does not mean I am any less loyal to the Conclave's ideals. I would remind the Circle that I was thrown down from my position because I had the heart and the courage to speak my piece against actions such as this, whether on behalf of my own talinj or no. This is nothing less than--"

"Master Marsavis," the grandmaster cut in, "you are a hair's breadth from being removed from this meeting, if not Conclave itself. You are cautioned to restrain yourself from this point further. As to your removal from your position, we both know that your exuberance was only half of the cause."
« Last Edit: May 6th, 2014, 01:48am by Jason Wolfe »

Last Edit: Nov 15, 2014 8:09:02 GMT by Jashin

Admin
Administrator

Alethea is Lynn Collins... anything else you wanna know... ask

Posts: 1,749

Hunter & Prey: Tavern Revisited Nov 10, 2014 10:01:02 GMT

Post by Admin on Nov 10, 2014 10:01:02 GMT

« Reply #3 on: May 6th, 2014, 02:22am »

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Itabi, Anjir," Jashin whispered. "Saomeshea, éma ehat va'dol. I will show caution in this thing, and do your teaching much honor."

The divarian wished with all of his heart to show courage before the Circle, though his master's words had not passed him over completely. He, himself, was not entirely confident that he could resist the preternatural will of a chiera, no matter what others had thought of him. Carmine had infiltrated his mind and will so handily, and there was nothing to say that it could not be done so again. Jashin did not relish the idea of finding himself in thrall to another vampire in his lifetime. Yet, suppressed as his memories of his time amongst the enclave were, he could remember that others had tried to dominate him and failed. Only Carmine had been able to breech his defenses, and only after a great effort. Perhaps there was some truth the the Circle's judgment. They had faith in his innate immunities, though none of them had ever seen a divarian before; he had been born and raised amongst the People, and Jashin's faith was faltering.

If Conclave believed in his ability to succeed in the task at hand, he could do no less. Ero had trained him personally, guided his path through Conclave to this moment. The man's own fervor for the tenets of the order had been restored through Jashin, and now it was time to see both passion and hard work bear good fruit. Jashin chanced a sidelong glance at his master, who took a hard look at the lad before nodding.

"I will keep my peace, then," Ero murmured. "Although I don't agree that Jashin is prepared for what fate might befall him, I have done all I can to make him ready. Tomorrow is a mystery no man can pierce, but the boy can handle what lies within the day."

* * * * *

"Dammit, boy, stop that!" Ero growled, slapping Jashin's hand away from the collar of his ibliha for perhaps the dozenth time since they had withdrawn from the chamber. Much of the elder man's ire was directed at the grandmasters still in closed council, but Light it was annoying. Like a child with a shiny new toy! Well, perhaps in a way it was. Ero grunted at the divarian's sullen look, shaking his head and trying to burn a hole in the chamber door with his glare. Many years ago, when Ero had been a much younger man, he had been as impatient to explore all the aspects of his uniform. A few weeks of grueling training later disabused him of all notions of greatness, training the Circle seemed all to eager to let Jashin dismiss. Training that was vital to understanding how a Hunter's armor worked, training that allowed the bonding process to complete itself and make the armor as a second skin. No, the whole assignment rankled Ero more than the old man would admit to anyone to himself. "Right, then. Guard up!"

Jashin blinked but dropped into a low defensive stance, hands held loosely before him as Ero had insisted. "Master?"

"You're about to get tossed to the wolves, boy," Ero sighed. Lifting his walking stick up off the ground, the old man adjusted his grip a bit and let a flicker of magick flow down the wood. The divarian's eyes widened slightly before locking on the stick suspiciously. Good, at least he could at least sense when arcane power was present. "I aim to see my rabbit has some teeth. Would that they would give me the time to make you truly a wolf, but no sense wanting more daylight when night's fallen."

"It will take time for your armor to bond to your body, though it looks like its passing fair at the moment. Plate for protection, chain for movement, and no more of either than you absolutely need. Your spirit, whatever your people call it that gives you life and Will, is a force much akin to any magick though nothing that any of us can directly tap into and focus. It comes from the All-Father and is as natural as the air you breathe. While we cannot shape it, we can channel it much as we can channel a raging river with stone and mortar and wood. Your armor changes the flow of your spirit from your body just so to flow over the armor as well as your skin. This second skin is all of a piece, and makes flesh and grahidal one and the same. Do not fear that your life is being drained to feed some dark power in the armor, or some other fool notion some may try to convince you for their own amusement. It is no more a parasite for your spirit than your tunic is for warming from the heat of your skin. In much the same way, the armor absorbs the fleeting motes of each passing moment of your life and holds it a touch more readily. The more potent a life and the stronger the bond to the grahidal, the stronger this aura. Do you understand?"

"Much of what you say, Master," Jashin nodded carefully, eye still on Ero's walking stick. "Forgemaster Garbali said much like you, but I do not understand the whole of it."

Ero grunted again and snapped his walking stick at Jashin's head. The divarian raised his leading arm just enough to deflect the blow harmlessly before returning to his guard. "Did you feel that?"

"Nai, Master." Jashin's eyes went a touch unfocused in the general direction of his master's core.

Good, Ero thought to himself, he's learning. Better yet, he's taken his training to heart. He's going to bloody need it.

Again the old man snapped his cane out, and again it was harmlessly deflected. This time, however, Ero shifted his weight a hair and brought the walking stick full into Jashin's exposed side with a loud crack. Color bloomed in the divarian's face, but the boy merely nodded in acknowledgment. "And that?"

"Sei, Master. There was much noise for so little pain. Such a strike should have perhaps broken a thing in nokta'ati'mehr--ah, my chest--yet I am no more pained than had Master used his open hand."

Ero nodded, setting the tip of his cane on the flagstones. "That is the wisdom behind the armor's design. Our founders were mortal flesh facing beasts from their darkest nightmares, able to rip flesh and break bone with ease. It took many years and hundreds of thousands of lives before the Order settled on the design we now know today. The armor's aura and form take the energy of a blow and spread it over the whole of the armor, turning a broadsword into a feather. It is not, however, without limit so be wary that you do not become too dependent on the grahidal to protect you. Ware you also the touch of the beasts we hunt, for if their spirit is a match for yours it may disrupt the course of the armor's flow. I have seen elder chiera tear through a Hunter's chestpiece as if it were dry parchment..."

The old man shook his head, trying to clear the horrid vision from his mind and the dying screams from his ears. Such a bitter memory, that, and not one he chose to visit in this moment. That was a lifetime gone, and this was today. Jashin was today. After a deep breath he looked at his talinj until the divarian decided that his Master was not going to strike him a third time and lowered his guard. There was an instant in Ero's darkest heart where he entertained the idea of giving Jashin a few more quick whacks just to teach the lad to keep his guard up, but he let that urge pass. The boy was still not fully broken of Carmine's abuses, and Ero valued his trust. There would be time for tests and humor when the divarian was once again himself... if such a time came.

"You've quite a walk to the Hasdran, lad," Ero sighed. "Best be on your way to Falsbarg. The distance will not allow me to help you with your language, so mind your words. 'Listen twice, speak once,' as the old saying goes. No, don't look at me like that, you know damn well what I mean. Now get going before I lose my nerve and give the Circle another piece of my mind."

Last Edit: Nov 23, 2014 6:42:02 GMT by Jashin

Admin
Administrator

Alethea is Lynn Collins... anything else you wanna know... ask

Posts: 1,749

Hunter & Prey: Tavern Revisited Nov 23, 2014 9:23:30 GMT

Post by Admin on Nov 23, 2014 9:23:30 GMT

She looked at the missive and frowned. Things were getting worse with the Were. They had called four other Packs into the area and though they seemed to be waiting for something, there were still preparations being made for a battle of some kind. Not the kind of preparations made for a territory war. There didn't seem to be talk of an overthrow or vie for power, either. It troubled her that that the last intel also gave hint that a vampire was walking amongst them as if an ally. None of the quick scouts had caught sight of this vampire, but the talk and relay of intel was not to be ignored. Were the vampires and werewolves somehow forming an alliance stronger than they had already? The fact they left one another alone was already disquieting. They were supposed to be fighting one another, culling the herds on either side, keeping the numbers minimal. But that wasn't the case... and it troubled her.

Cassandra passed the most recent report to the others in the room she moved to sit in her chair and await the one they were sending next. This time it wasn't a quick in and out scout mission. This Hunter would be going to see what could be done to stop whatever was coming. Perhaps even he would stop it, himself. She only hoped he would be up to the task. As she waited, her hands fidgeted nervously in her lap. One moment they were picking at a loose thread on her robe, the next moment they were rising to make sure her hair was perfect (which it always was). Why did she sense danger more now than before? Having just enough of a Gift to sense danger didn't seem to be enough this time. How was she to help the one going into the fray? She would be able to tell him there was more danger here than met the eyes, but they already knew that.

Sighing, she clasped her hands in her lap as the others slowly took their seat. The Hunter was here and ready for admittance into the room. She hoped what was to come would settle things in that region. The Morovestons were growing larger and now with the massing of the Were... her train of thought was swiftly tossed off its tracks as the door opened and the Hunter was admitted.

She furrowed her brow and tilted her head... he seemed so... young...

Last Edit: Nov 23, 2014 9:27:55 GMT by Admin