Sugarcane

Brandy is leaned against the railing, while Taryn stands back, her hand over her stomach. Brandy glances back towards where Tor and Aurelius are beginning to spar, then looks to Taryn.\n\n"What's up with you, Pregnancy?" says Brandy. "I was sure you were attached to your spouse at the hip."\n\nTaryn just rolls her eyes skyward. "We are far from attached. And when did you start calling me Pregnancy?"\n\n"That's all I know about you. For all I know, growing that baby isthe most exciting thing you've ever done. Do you have a name for the little spawn yet, anyway?"\n\n"I don't know the gender yet," Taryn says. But she's beaming a little, secretly.\n\n[[I hope it's a boy.]]\n\n[[I hope it's a girl.]]\n

"Well, what about you?" I ask.\n\n"I am a trifle less exciting than you younger folk."\n\n"That's fine by me."\n\nShe laughs. "All right then. Come. Shall we smoke together? It's customary in Hahn. I don't know about you folks out east here, but we love //bhagdan.//"\n\n[[Sure. Why not?]]\n\n[[Isn't that harmful to the child?]]\n\n[[I don't smoke.]]\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 1>>

"Hoy."\n\nThe figures turn, both men. Neither one is Demali... probably. \n\n"Don't you know it's bad luck to talk during kadenshi, lass?" one of the men snaps at me. "Find a better use for that pretty mouth."\n\nOkay. Well then. I could [[take the bastard outside]], or... \n\nI take a deep breath and look back over to the bar. I could also do the sane thing and [[walk away.]] But my blood is boiling.

Taryn smiles thinly. "Yes -- yes. Isn't he? So very wise."\n\nShe pauses. "-- Oh, but surely you must be here to see him -- I keep forgetting -- he won't be back, and I am sorry to keep you waiting, truly. I am sure you have much business to attend to!"\n\n[[I'll take my leave, then.]]\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 1>>\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike - 2>>

"Occasionally, I'm sure. But here, that was different." She pauses a moment to pick a piece of riverweed out of her hair. "I wasn't cautious. Frankly, I deserved to die. I owe you my life, Naya. Can't say that often." \n\nBrandy glances over at me. "You're stupid for jumping in after me. But -- you know -- thanks."\n\n"It's all right. Be careful next time."\n\n"Yes," she says sarcastically, "the next time I'm on a barely-afloat vessel in a deathly lightning storm, I'll, you know, I'll be cautious."\n\n[[Okay.]]

Brandy points to the bathroom. "You see the tub? Get it filled. She's going to pass the child."\n\n"I can't," Taryn whispers. "Please -- gods -- let me keep my baby, please, please, no--"\n\nTor's face is just white. He can't say anything. His lips tremble, silent.\n\nBrandy taps me. "Pay attention," she says. "Look at me. Get that bath running. Do you understand? Warm. //Not// hot."\n\n[[What about saving the child?]]\n\n[[Yes, Brandy.]]\n

I head over. Aurelius and Tor stand squarely apart from one another.\n\n"Naya!" he greets me. "I've taken it upon myself to teach young Aurelius how to fight like a man, as it were."\n\n"'Man'? hardly," says Aurelius with a furtive look in Tor's direction.\n\n"Listen, lad. You must start with the right stance," says Tor, ignoring him, and he centers his weight with one foot forward. "It's impossible to fight properly if you haven't got the stance down."\n\nI notice that his stance is actually wrong - he's got too much weight on his back foot, and he could be knocked over easily. \n\n[[Point out his error]]\n\n[[Say nothing]]\n\n[[Sweep his feet out from under him]]

"Well," says Tor with an air of sarcasm, "what a lovely young man."\n\nBrandy just sniffs and crosses her arms. "Doesn't scare me."\n\nThe porter breaks in, cutting through the strange mood in the air -- "Tickets, everyone!" he calls.\n\nAnd with that, we're off.\n\n-----\n\n\nI feel a lurching under my feet as I move to the window in my cabin. The windows are open, and the air rolls in, cold and crisp. It's a little after noon now.\n\nOur caravan is hovering roughly seven feet above the ground, and begins moving at a gentle pace - about a horse's canter, maybe slightly less. The enchantment must be very strong to keep something this heavy afloat for so long.\n\nMy cabin is smaller than I thought it'd be. Only about 15 x 15 feet. I have one small bathroom with a tub. The door leads to a hallway outside, which branches off into the other occupants' rooms. Outside our rooms is a small viewing deck which wraps around the entire outside of the caravan. The deck is about 20 feet off the ground below.\n\nI must never forget that ''my job is to kill one of these people.'' All of the cabins are now occupied. ''Fabula must be someone on Caravan Four somewhere -- either Tor, Taryn, Aurelius, or Brandy.'' But who? They all seem relatively normal; not the kind of people one would assume to be former war criminals or code experts. \n\nWe'll break for dinner sometime soon. For now -- who should I talk to?\n\n[[Brandy.]]\n\n[[Tor and Taryn.]]\n\n[[Aurelius.]]\n\n\n

Everyone but Taryn heads down to the landslide and begins to roll rocks out of the way, trying to clear a path for the caravan to hover over the barricade.\n\nMeanwhile, Brandy removes her outer decorative silks and begins heading up the cliffside.\n\n"I say, Brandy -- where are you going?" calls Tor.\n\n"Gonna find us somewhere to pass the night in safety if we don't get this little problem cleared up," she says. "Do you want to get killed by ghosts? 'Cause I don't want to get killed by ghosts."\n\n"It's a //legend//, Brandy," says Tor exasperatedly. "The dead don't //really// walk here at night. There's nothing to fear."\n\n"Yes, because you would know, being so brave and all," Brandy snaps at him, and continues climbing the hillside.\n\n[[Brandy, wait. I'll come with you.]]\n\n[[I'll help clear the fallen rock. We might still be able to make it out of here.|I'll help clear the fallen rock.]]

He stares at me as if not sure whether to believe me. In the darkness I can't clearly see his expression anymore.\n\n"It's rude to eavesdrop," he says, and turns to go.\n\n[[Goodnight.|Go back to my room.]]\n\n[[Are you Fabula?]]\n\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike + 2>>

Tor nods. The others huddle in the back. \n\nI head up to the front by the door and hide nearby, to dissuade them if they manage to --\n\nThe door bursts open, the rope snapping instantly. A husk of mummified flesh and cracked bones stands before me, its eyes little more than shriveled black pits and its mouth a single deep, dark hole. \n\nThe creature knocks me aside easily and shuffles past me into the room. I come at it from behind, but this time the creature latches onto my fist and sinks its shattered teeth into my knuckles.\n\nSeveral more creatures are climbing into the room now, similar to the first, these ones still wearing ancient battle armor. I turn to face them but another one grabs me from behind and tosses me into the wall as though I were a rag doll.\n\nThere's screaming. It's Taryn. I can't see anything.\n\n"Taryn!" Tor shouts over the noise. \n\nThen there's a [[bright flash of light.]]

I probably shouldn't mention that out loud. It was something about a disowning, if I remember correctly -- some noble's child or something. Trivial stuff.\n\nA door slams behind us then; we all turn to see [[a boy]] of maybe sixteen years, his traveling case slung over his shoulder.

I approach the woman; we make eye contact.\n\nIt's Demali. She grins. Her catlike eyes widen. I notice a thin golden crow dangling from her left ear.\n\nShe slips me something in secret: a small package, wrapped in a fancy oilcloth.\n\n"A gift for your success," she murmurs, pleased as I've ever seen her. I must have succeeded in some large way.\n\n"Outside," I whisper.\n\n[[Go outside]]\n\n<<set $demali = $demali + 4>>\n<<set $knife = 1>>

"I can see that's true," I say, looking her in the face. She blanches and tries to heft her bag once more, shooting me a glare. But as I stare her down she seems to grow more and more uncomfortable, eventually turning away.\n\nShe begins dragging the bag behind her with both hands, digging her heels into the ground. Somehow she manages to get it all the way to Caravan Four, where she lugs it up the wooden steps and into one of the rooms within.\n\n"Porter," I hear her say loudly from within, "//Please// keep random nobodies from traipsing about in front of the loading areas, won't you? Some of us want to load our things in a //timely// manner."\n\n"My apologies, miss," says one of the porters as he scurries out the door.\n\nGods, what a bitch. \n\n[[Say something to her]]\n\n[[Check out my cabin]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 1>>

I tromp up the stairs to Caravan Four. \n\n"What in hell was that?" I say to the girl. "I have exactly as much right to--"\n\nThe girl throws up her hand in a 'don't bother' gesture.\n\nUgh.\n\n"Now, girls," says a [[voice from my right.|a voice.]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 2>>

"Hold on!" I shout. "Hold on --" and I try to keep her hands away from me, grabbing her fists in mine. \n\nAt that moment, I feel her lifted off of me from above. The porter for Caravan Four has evidently decided to intervene at last. \n\nI see her glaring at me. "Bitch," she spits at me.\n\n"Girls. Calm yourselves," says [[a voice.]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 2>>

I immediately reach for the diary. Outside I can hear the din of conversation still going on.\n\n"4TH OF SARROWMOON," the date reads on the most recent entry. \n\n"Haven't heard from my contact yet. Still waiting on Tomas, too. If no word by tomorrow, I'll find him myself and get the job done somehow.\n\nI'm tired. So tired. And I'm angry at my own uselessness. Gods give me strength."\n\nThat's it. It's brief. There's more, but I'd have to [[take the diary]] to read the rest. But really... I should [[put it back]]; surely such an item would be noticed missing. -- Right? Then again, Brandy seems a little... distracted.\n\n<<set $tomas = 1>>\n\n<<set $brandycontact = 1>>

"Yes." \n\nI stare. My throat seems to tighten.\n\n"You will be killed. There is no other way. We cannot have a non-Lightbringer who has lived in the abbey and known our secrets, even adept secrets. We cannot afford that. You know this."\n\n[[I do.]]\n

"I wonder sometimes," I say, my voice soft.\n\nDemali turns to face me. Her expression is unreadable in the near darkness.\n\n"I was afraid you'd say that." \n\nHer voice is suddenly deep.\n\n<<if $ankle eq 1>>\nShe glances down at my ankle, then meets my eyes; "we've already proven once tonight that you may not be material for the Lightbringers. I am unconvinced that you have learned much during your time in the order. Besides..." she pauses.\n<<endif>>\n\n"You know what is done to those who leave, Naya."\n\n[[You mean... death?]]\n\n[[I'm not afraid of that possibility.]]\n\n<<set $demali = $demali - 1>>

"That's amazing," I say. "Truly. I hear wonderful things about the place."\n\nHe beams. "Of course! It's the cleanest city in the west. Thanks to my father's work, naturally. I'm glad you've heard of it. Some of the ruffians out here aren't even familiar with Hahn. Isn't that odd?"\n\nIt's interesting. I'd heard something about [[a scandal,]] but I'm not sure if I should bring it up. [[Probably not.]]\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 2>>

I slam a fist into his face. He is stronger, heavier; but I am faster. \n\nHe reels back against the door frame. His head knocks. He's drunk, and angry, and unhappy.\n\nHe comes back at me - one final punch. The knife concealed in my wrist comes to hand easily. This one, though, I cannot duck.\n\n[[Knock him over.]]\n\n[[Use my knife.]]\n\n<<set $demali = $demali - 1>>

I stay still. The skull goes to the man across from me.\n\nThe score is one to him, and zero to myself and the man on my left.\n\nA second card is drawn: a circle.\n\n[[Slap]]\n\n[[Stop myself]]

I hold onto the rudder, keeping it in place with only my arms. It takes all the strength I have. My arms go numb, my face and nose frozen from the cold. That water is icy. Every time it splashes up I'm shocked by its temperature.\n\nAn hour passes. Or maybe longer. At long last, I feel the rain breaking as we roll up on shore. \n\nDawn has come.\n\nAs the caravan rests in the sand, the driver approaches me.\n\n"We've landed closer to our mark," he says. "Thanks to you. If you weren' on deck, I don' think that teenager could've done it alone."\n\n[[We need to find Aurelius and Brandy.]]\n\n[[We need to check on Taryn.]]\n\n

I raise the cup of tea to my lips, breathing in its scent. I detect no poison here, nothing that would alert me to any form of danger. I can only assume it's safe to drink.\n\nBrandy kneels on the floor beside a spare, low-lying wooden table in the corner, her cup held delicately between her fingers. It's an odd position, one I haven't seen before. I take a cross-legged seat at the table across from her. \n\n[[Why are you sitting that way?]]\n\n[[Why are you really here? traveling?]]\n\n

"Why not?" the kid laughs. "Hah. To get away." He pauses. "Or maybe because I could. Why the hell wouldn't I climb a mountain? I can. I'm young. I did."\n\nOdd words from one so young. Although I guess he's not //that// young - only three years junior to me, perhaps.\n\nHe seats himself at a small table just inside the doorway. It seems he's no longer trying to evict me, which is... good.\n\n[[Are you hurt?]]\n\n[[Get away from what?]]\n\n[[It's strange that you survived, isn't it?|It's strange that you survived.]]

I hold back. \n\nThe card is taken by the man in front of me. That's his second point in a row.\n\nHe grins a yellow grin and hooks out an arm to take the entire pot. The man on my left looks at me and scowls. 'You had that card,' he says. 'You hadd'un.'\n\nOops.\n\n[[Ask to keep playing.]]

"What route is that?" asks the driver.\n\n"We make a circuit," Brandy says tightly. "Our profession requires us to be on the road often." From the tilt of her shoulders that seems to be the end of discussion. \n\nShe glances out towards the forest, as if looking for something. But she shakes her head.\n\n"Off with you," she says, shooing the driver with her hands as she heads for the [[campfire]].

Brandy shrugs.\n\n"From nowhere. From north of here. Springshire? Do you know the place?"\n\n"I know it. And where are you headed?"\n\n"I wish I knew." She smiles wistfully. "But honestly? To [[Enso]]. then Calypso."\n\n"I see. [[Your stop's Calypso.]]"\n\n"Yes. Do you have a point?" Brandy says, eyes sharp.\n\nThe man shrugs. "No -- just curiosity. That is all." \n\n<<set $brandygoing = 1>>

Aurelius seems surprised that I would ask. He turns away from me and stretches, rolling his shoulders. "No. I'm fine. Just a little bruised. It's, uh, nice that you're concerned, I guess." \n\nHe turns his face to the wall, but I notice that the back of his neck is bright red with a blush.\n\n"I think it's time you left," says Aurelius, not looking at me.\n\n[[Leave.|notdone]]\n

"About me smoking?"\n\n"Yes."\n\nTaryn chuckles softly. "No. He doesn't know. At least, I don't think so. He wouldn't approve, but it is not for him to approve of me. -- I'm sorry. You must be here to speak to him, ne? He won't be back in the nearby future. He's gone often."\n\n[[Then I'll smoke with you.|Sure. Why not?]]\n\n[[It seems like he doesn't treat you well.]]\n\n[[I'll take my leave, then.]]\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 1>>\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike - 1>>

"I grew up just outside Hahn," says Taryn. "I met my husband when we were just children. We were very in love then, you know, the both of us. I still love him very much, in my heart of hearts." She gives me a secretive smile. "But on his end, I think, the passion has faded, ne? But that is life."\n\nShe sighs and leans back. "That is the woman's curse. To be forgotten by men, eventually."\n\nI find myself relaxing. The overwhelming calm the //bhaghdan// has brought me fades in bits. I find myself thinking of all the boys I've ever loved. None of them ever caused me to love very deeply or for very long. And yet...\n\n"I've kept you here overlong, haven't I? I'm sorry. Why don't I ask you to return later? We'll talk more then."\n\nShe smiles.\n\n[[I'll take my leave, then.]]\n\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 3 >>

Demali looks hard into me. She examines my face, takes my chin in her fingers.\n\n"I see that you are indeed without fear."\n\nShe eyes me. "Do you really wish to leave us? To turn your back on your mission?"\n\n[[Of course not.]]\n\n[[That is my wish.]]\n\n<<se $demali = $demali - 1>>

\nThe room is affixed with a soft yellow glow; floating witchlight lanterns bob to and fro on the evening beeze. It's a surprisingly nice night to be in a strange town. This one's filled to the brim with people, choked with life and mirth. \n\nI look around. I'm supposed to meet my [[mentor]] here. I glance over to the right; there's a [[tender]] looking fairly frantic as he slides glasses down the top of the bar. \n\nThis is the kind of place where everyone's got a sword, though. I've gotta be careful.\n\nBefore I move into the tavern, I check myself: plain brown robes, nothing to attract attention except my crow pin. A trivial little thing. I wonder if I should [[show]] it.\n\n\n<<set $pin = 1>>

He gives me a look of suspicion.\n\n"Somewhere I didn't want to be. That's all."\n\nI notice his hand twitch at his side. The fingers curl. There's the faintest glimmer. But I can't be sure I saw it.\n\n"I think it's time you left," says Aurelius.\n\n[[Leave.|notdone]]\n

"Tor," I say, motioning behind me. "A moment?"\n\nHe stares, then rises, following me. I lead him behind the caravan, out into the trees, out beyond the line where we cannot be seen.\n\n"...W-where... are we going, Miss Naya?" he asks meekly. "I don't know if I quite feel that this is proper. My wife..."\n\nI turn to face him. The knife at my wrist feels solid and cold. My mind is clear, sharp. Of course Tor is Fabula. He always was. He's the son of a nobleman - a controlling father, a crumbling marriage to a Northern woman -- he'd have everything to gain from betraying the North. Wouldn't he?\n\nSuddenly, he gets it. He wheels back and begins to run, scrambling, for the forest's edge. He screams. But I'm on him, already sinking my knife between his shoulderblades - one clean stab in the heart. I leave him lying on the ground as he rolls to the earth with a wet thud.\n\nHe groans, face down in the dirt. \n\nI cannot go back to the Caravan. My murder will be clear to them. I will head north [[on foot.]]

As I approach the fire, I notice that Brandy is seated off to the side, her arms around her knees. Tor and Taryn sit on a nearby log, Taryn with a hand over her belly and Tor next to her. \n\nHe slips an arm around her and she shakes it off smoothly.\n\n"Come on, Taryn," he mutters to her quietly.\n\nShe gives him a look that is at once brilliantly scathing and incredibly intelligent.\n\n"You are scared," she responds in a low voice. "Scared and troubled, like a child, Toreth."\n\nIf I interrupt now, I might miss something. On the other hand, this looks like it could get bad.\n\n[[Interrupt.]]\n\n[[Wait.]]

As I walk outside the caravan I see Aurelius and Brandy slowly making their way back into view. Brandy looks very tired, very washed out, and too tired to think. Aurelius looks even worse. \n\n"Looks like all o' us survived, wouln'yehknow?" says the driver. "Damn sheer luck. Les' get moving!"\n\n[[All right.]]

"The rebels?" I ask.\n\n"They are merely those who sought what others did not. 'Rebels' is a curious term. It implies wrongdoing. But we do not judge, Naya, and we do not place blame. We merely observe the passing of the world and work within it."\n\nI stare. \n\n"To us, there is no wrong. There are only the tasks we give ourselves. Now let us talk of [[your mission]]."

"Brandy," I say, motioning behind me. "A moment?"\n\nShe stares, then rises, following me. I lead her behind the caravan, out into the trees, out beyond the line where we cannot be seen.\n\n"Okay," Brandy snaps, stopping. "I'm not walking any further. We're not going for a stroll in the woods he-- what is that?"\n\nThe knife at my wrist feels solid and cold. My mind is clear, sharp. Of course Brandy is Fabula. She's the perfect spy. Beautiful, aloof, too unfriendly to gather much attention, with connections in multiple cities. \n\nShe tries to run, but I am faster. I grab her by her braid and yank her head back, then slit her throat in one smooth motion. Blood sprays my shirt as she falls face-down to the dirt.\n\nI'm surprised at how easy it was. Now she is dead. Now my mission surely is complete.\n\nI cannot go back to the Caravan. My murder will be clear to them. I will head north [[on foot.]]

Ari doesn't immediately respond.\n\nShe takes my fingers in the palm of her hand and begins to wiggle my fingers, as though we were children. Somehow in this context, with a knife in my free hand and her armed to the teeth, it seems... odd. Creepy.\n\n"Demali and I had feared you were getting cold feet," she says. "I've been given -- oh, Naya -- it's horrible. But Demali said it's time for me to go on my final task, too. I don't think--"\n\n"Your final task?" I begin to say, //That's great,// but then -- it occurs to me. Why else would she be here?\n\n"... Ari," I say, "Your final task isn't to... [[kill me if I fail]], is it?"\n

Taryn and Brandy appear at the edge of the clearing.\n\nJust then, Tor appears at the door leading to the observation deck outside. He gives us a nod, then takes Taryn by the elbow and leads her down the lean-to stairs gently, as though she were an old mule. Brandy just hops down, ignoring the stairs.\n\nJust then, an old man climbs his way down from above us. I'd never looked up before - above our cabins is a tiny little chamber with a wide glass window, evidently the driver's cabin. It is not connected to anything else but the ladder; since there are no horses and the caravan moves by magic, it makes sense that he would sit above the rest of us.\n\n"'Bout time yeh be settin down fer yer teameal," says the driver.\n\n"Teameal?" asks Taryn.\n\n"We don' do dinner on t'road. Too dangerous. We'll eat while s' still light out an' get movin' before dusk. So, 'teameal.' After yer tea."\n\n"Fine. [[Let's eat,]]" says Brandy, wincing. "I'm starving, and Ms. Pregnancy over here needs her nutrients."\n\n

Brandy rubs the back of her head. "Yes. Er. Sorry about that. I hadn't known I was so close to the railing. Had I.... been more cautious..."\n\n\n[[You're not the cautious type, are you?]]\n\n[[It happens.]]

"Things happen, but I'll do my best," I tell her.\n\nShe looks a little upset, but she manages that well.\n\n"Please. Just try. I will pray for you at the shrine of Madnea. I will leave trinkets and wine. I will pray for your success."\n\nShe tightens her arms around me, and I raise my arms to embrace her in return.\n\n"Be well, //ashi//," she murmurs. "My sister."\n\nThen she leaves, and I [[am alone.]]

\nHe curls out his fingers like cat claws. "This style was taught to my dueling master by a monk from the Ezwhitz monastery," he says to me, as an aside. "I'm sure you've seen it before, haven't you?"\n\n"Can't say that I have," I tell him, trying to keep a straight face.\n\nHe pauses.\n\n"Yeah," says Aurelius, "seems to me like you're grasping at straws here. I've never heard of that style." Aurelius stands. "Have you ever even fought? For real? Not a spar?"\n\nTor goes white. "Ahm... w-well... I..."\n\n[[I think that's enough, Aurelius.]]\n\n[[Yeah, Tor. Have you ever actually been in a fight?]]\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 2>>\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike + 2>>

I let her go. She begins dragging the bag behind her with both hands, digging her heels into the ground. Somehow she manages to get it all the way to Caravan Four, where she lugs it up the wooden steps and into one of the rooms within.\n\n"Porter," I hear her say loudly from within, "//Please// keep random nobodies from traipsing about in front of the loading areas, won't you? Some of us want to load our things in a //timely// manner."\n\n"My apologies, miss," says one of the porters as he scurries out the door.\n\nGods, what a bitch. \n\n[[Say something to her]]\n\n[[Check out my cabin]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 1>>

"You've got too much weight on your back leg," I point out. "It's not a good--"\n\n"Please, Miss Naya," says Tor, putting a hand up. "I //know// how to fight. I've had swordsmanship tutors all my life."\n\n"Did you ever fight in the war?" asks Aurelius.\n\n"Well -- no. No, of course not," says Tor sheepishly. "That's not the kind of thing you do lightly, lad."\n\n[[So show us how it's done.]]\n\n[[Sweep his feet out from under him]]\n\n

Demali should be here somewhere. Of course, I haven't seen my dear old mentor in months, and Demali is fond of disguises, so the locating part might be a task in and of itself...\n\nI begin to wander around to the back of the bar. Shall I head to the eager-looking [[tender]] or to the darkened [[card table]]?\n\nUsually, if I can't find Demali, Demali finds me. Eventually.\n\nThis could be a [[test]]...

"Yes. Transcripts," Demali says. "The writer is unknown. We have only a vague notion of what the transcripts contain. What we do know, however, is that Fabula was a well-known codebreaker during the war. We've got proof from several sources confirming that Fabula will be heading down to Calypso to sell all of his or her information upon arrival. That information is the transcripts you just read about."\n\nShe nods to me. "I might add that this information is highly sensitive - it concerns [[secrets of certain matters]] in the Donan government that would be.... particularly disastrous if they fell into the [[wrong hands.]]"

We head up into the caravan. We decide to stay in the interior of the main chamber, where our cabin quarters are -- we gather in the central hallway and bolt shut the doors leading to the observational deck on both sides. Now it's just us, sitting on the floor in the hallway, legs crossed. \n\nThe sun's last rays are beginning to die, painting our skin and clothing red. The driver peers out one of the windows in the passenger cabins at the ground. I wonder what he's looking for.\n\nWe huddle [[in silence.|insilence2]]\n\n\n<<set $monastery = 0>>

Ari doesn't seem to understand.\n\n"More than the Lightbringers," I reiterate. "Maybe there's... other kinds of ways to live."\n\nAri thinks a moment. "Where did you come from, Naya?" she asks.\n\n"You know that. I'm a nobody," I say.\n\n"Yes," she replies, "exactly. As am I. Who would want us? We belong to no caste. We aren't citizens of any city -- at least not that anyone would recognize. We're trash. We're nothing. But you, Naya, you are my sister. And that's all I need. And forget all the rest."\n\nShe straightens, smiling, and gets to her feet.\n\n"Finish the job," she says, and touches my cheek. "Demali asked me to give you three more days."\n\nShe leaves [[as silently as she came.]]

"The world breaks a lot of people," I say to Taryn.\n\n"There is an old saying in Netherti," says Taryn, "the language we speak in Hahn. It translates to something like -- //a single link is broken easily; it is only the chain that survives the pull of time.//"\n\nBrandy snorts. "That's stupid. You don't need anyone but yourself to make it," she says.\n\nTaryn smiles gently. "I hope that's true," she says. "After Tor and I are annulled before the Calypso Church, I will be.... quite alone."\n\nWith that, she heads indoors. Brandy looks as though she's going to say something to me, but just shakes her head and retreats into silence.\n\nI should [[join Tor and Aurelius]].\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike - 2>>\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 2>>

"Now go to sleep," says Brandy. "Gods know I've got to get my beauty rest."\n\nI hear footsteps; I withdraw into the shadows near the door, obscuring myself from view. The door opens. Aurelius departs for his room next door.\n\nBrandy shuts the door a moment later; I haven't been heard.\n\n[[Go back to my room.]]\n\n[[Wait a moment.]]

I open my eyes and glance outside. It's very late in the day; I see nothing but greying skies and a thin misty rain. The air is a little chilly and there is a brisk breeze.\n\nI was told to meet Demali in the [[tavern|StartTavern]].

I sink a kick into his shins just as his fist hits me in the ribcage. I am bruised; I reel back; but he has been tripped and is flat on the ground, his head against the wall of the tavern. \n\nHe's out cold.\n\nBreathing hard, I raise my eyes to see a dark figure looming on the balcony above me.\n\n[[Demali.]]

We eat without speaking to one another. The porter and driver try, unsuccessfully, to make conversation, but they are less educated men and their talk of summer's arrival falls flat on my ears.\n\nThe others head back to the caravan one by one, and soon is it just myself and the driver, sitting by the dying fire. Night is coming.\n\nA soft rain begins to fall, then harder.\n\n"Rain bodes badly, it does," he says.\n\n[[Why's that?]]

"Eronton isn't that far," I say with a laugh.\n\n"It is!" she insists. "All the way up in the cold north. Who would go up there? Nothing but sheep and rain, they say."\n\n"I enjoy the travel."\n\n"I know you do. You get itchy feet," she says, smirking over at me. She looks out at the ocean once more. "We're different in that way. But soon both of us will be //ashi//."\n\n\n\nI grew up without a home, a child of the slums. I traveled often from place to place, wherever I could find food and a little spare room in a basement somewhere. \n\nBut I was [[very young]] then.

She clings to me as I wrap an arm around her and kick, trying to keep both our heads above the waves. The storm rages overhead; a flash of lightning illuminates the water's surface for one moment. \n\nSuddenly, I see the caravan rock again. It's taking on water. The rudder's jammed. But it's sailing for shore, somehow, against all odds.\n\nI feel Brandy struggling. She's got her arms around my shoulders and is trying to keep herself above the water -- by pushing me under. I know it's a common reaction to drowning, but the girl is taller than me, and I am quickly losing air.\n\n[[Try to talk to her]]\n\n[[Knock her out]]

I approach the man. We make eye contact. But he only looks at me blankly, as though he does not know me.\n\n"Demali...?" I ask, quietly.\n\nThe woman near the fire reaches out to touch my hand, her eyes glowering. She rises and leads me outdoors, and I follow.\n\n"You are hasty, apprentice," she whispers furtively. "You give away my identity too easily. You should be ashamed of your lack of tact."\n\n<<set $demali = $demali + 1>>\n\n[[Follow.]]

"Ah, so you have sisters," says the caravan driver. "That explains why your face is familiar."\n\n"Three," says Brandy simply, tightly, her mouth drawing into a firm line of displeasure.\n\n"And you all travel the [[same routes?]]" asks the man.\n\n"Never [[at the same time]]," Brandy replies. \n\n

I drop to a crouch and sweep a leg out, catching his back shin and causing him to trip backwards. He falls swiftly back on his posterior and splays out his hands on the caravan deck, shooting me a shocked look.\n\n"And that's how you disarm an imperfect stance," I say to Aurelius, who is trying hard not to laugh.\n\nTor gets to his feet slowly. "F-fine then," he stammers. "//You// show him how it's done."\n\n[[Ok, I'll handle this lesson.]]\n\n[[No, Tor, it's better if you do it. I'm sorry.|So show us how it's done.]]\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike - 3>>\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike + 3>>

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"Yes," I say, "I'm here for Tor." I want to speak to the lordling a little more.\n\n"He's not here, unfortunately," Taryn says. "Gone to speak with the caravan driver."\n\nI guess I could always [[try back later, and go visit someone else.|notdone]] Or I could [[stay.]]\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 2>>

We all convene outside the caravan, and the driver spreads a paper map on a nearby flat rock. We gather around to look.\n\n"Thanks to Naya's swift handling las' night, we ain' too far off course," says the driver. "We're closest to t' the ''Fyoran Forest'', which is m' usual route south."\n\nHe draws a line with his finger a little more south: "T' alternate route south is through t' ''Valley of Soldiers''. I usually d'na go through there. But it's yer folks' call. That's about a half a days' ride, though." \n\nTaryn shakes her head. "I don't think I can handle any more detours right now," she says. "I could use a proper bed and shower. I'd like to go through Enso as soon as possible."\n\n"Ms. Pregnancy is correct," Brandy agrees. "I'm sick of looking at you all. I need a break from travel. No detours."\n\n"Naya?" says the driver. "Yer our champion o' the day. Why don' you pick?"\n\n[[Fyoran Forest?]]\n\n[[Valley of Soldiers?|Valley of Shades?]]\n\n\n<<set $valleyorforest = 1>>

I head up the steps to Caravan Four. As I do, I notice the girl is still in the hallway. When she spots me, she sniffs.\n\n"So you're staying here too? What, can //everyone// afford to ride on a caravan these days? I thought it was only for people of class."\n\n"Now, girls," says a [[voice from my right.|a voice.]]

Eventually the caravan comes into sight, and we're both relieved. \n\nThe driver is the first one to spot us. "Yer alive! Ahoy!" he shouts, waving us down. "Les' git going, shall we?"\n\nIt seems like everyone's all right, if a little soggy. \n\n[[Get going]]

"Aren't you scared to come up here?" I ask, not answering her prompt. "I thought you were afraid of heights."\n\nAri shrugs her slight shoulders. "I... yes. A bit." She flushes. "But I had to [[come see]] you before you [[go off.]] Just to... support you in your final task." \n\nAri only knows as much about my task as I do: that it's a murder. That's traditional for the Lightbringers. But past that -- the details of the task -- we are both uncertain.\n\nShe smiles, then adds, "besides - isn't it like we're always told? Fear is only the [[absence of illumination.]]"\n\n\n\n

He motions again to my pin, loosely. I glance around. No one is looking.\n\n"Then the crow adornments are a new fad, perhaps. There is one other just tonight who had the same."\n\nI blink. \n\n"A woman in -- sable, was it? Or red. I cannot remember." He waves an arm in the direction of the hearth.\n\n[[Head over.]]

"Hah. Funny." Brandy turns towards the interior of her cabin. "Come in. I've got a pot of tea on, and I don't really feel like standing right now."\n\nI [[follow her|Go in2]] inside.

"What's the Fyoran Forest?" I ask.\n\nTor looks nervous. "It's exactly what it sounds like. Filled with Fyorans. I don't like that."\n\n"Which are.."\n\nThe group looks at me with confusion. "You've never been south?" says Tor.\n\nI feel my face burning. I never went to school, I've never been out of Northern Dona. I don't know anything about the Fyorans, aside from having heard the word a few times.\n\n"They sing," says Tor. "Terrifying, if you ask me. Sing and it drives you mad, and you get spirited off in the night, never to return. Or if you do return it's after a hundred years. Sometimes they let you go if you're lucky."\n\nTaryn pats his shoulder. "Tor, there's no sense being frightened. No one's seen a Fyoran in those woods in decades."\n\n[[What of the Valley of Soldiers?|Valley of Shades?]]\n\n<<if $valleyorforest eq 1>>\n[[Let's go through the forest, then.|forest]]\n\n[[That sounds bad. Let's go through the Valley of Shades.|valley2]]\n<<endif>>\n\n<<if $valleyorforest eq 2>>\n[[Let's go through the forest, then.|forest2]]\n\n[[That sounds bad. Let's go through the Valley of Shades.|valley]]\n<<endif>>\n\n

I slip out of the curtains before the conversation outside ends. As I land on the ground, I start to sneak around the side of the caravan --\n\nA hand shoves me into the wall. Unprepared, I am slammed back, though not harmed.\n\n"What are you doing in my quarters, you sneaky bitch?" Brandy seethes in my face. "You think I [[didn't see you]] come out of there just now? [[Be honest.]] Don't [[lie]] to me."\n\n<<set $brandyperception = 1>>

"Don't tell me what to do," I snap, turning around in place. The voice belongs to a slender young woman in her mid twenties, perhaps a little older than me. She is very, very beautiful, with tanned skin, long dark hair and catlike yellow eyes. Her face is painted prettily, like a doll's. \n\nShe is wearing flowing silks in jade and red which hug her curvy body, though the beauty of her outfit is somewhat diminished by the enormously oversized bag she's dragging behind her.\n\nShe huffs. "Fine. Be obnoxious for obnoxiousness' sake. I'll go around." And she does, albeit slowly, bag in tow.\n\n[[Offer to help with her bag|Help her]]\n\n[[Fine with me.|Do nothing]]\n\n[[You're one to talk!|You're the idiot here!]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 1>>

As we head out, Demali's form shifts. The color melts from her clothes, leaving them plain and black. Her hair is bound tightly in a no-nonsense braid down her back. \n\n"You've found me," she says. "And it only took you an hour."\n\nBut she's pleased nonetheless. Obviously so.\n\n"You have done much better than I expected."\n\n<<if $knife eq 1>>\nShe motions to the bundle wrapped in oilcloth in my hands. As I open it, I notice a small blue crystal lies in the center.\n\n "That's a very powerful tool, apprentice. It can be used to defend against magical attacks. It belonged to my teacher before me, and now to you. Use it only in very dire situations."\n\n<<endif>>\n\n[[What did you want to talk about?]]\n

"Come on. How about another round?"\n\nThe men look unconvinced. "What'd yeh put in the pot?" one asks.\n\nI didn't put anything in. They both seem to notice this at the same moment, and at that point one stands: \n\n"Get the hell out of here, little girl."\n\nA few other men approach, seemingly interested now. Even the tender lends an ear. I'm becoming a public attraction very quickly.\n\n\n[[Leave.]]\n\n[[I can't leave yet.]]

I turn in my hand like a respectable player. The two men sneer.\n\n"Women are unlucky in gambling," says the one on my left. "Typical."\n\nI bristle a little at that. I am nothing if not proud.\n\n[[Take him outside.|take the bastard outside]]\n\n[[Leave with my dignity intact.|Leave.]]

"I'm going out to meet it," I say.\n\n"Are you fucking //insane//?!" Brandy hisses. "You'll kill us all!"\n\nI stand and begin untying the rope. Everyone seems to be in shock. Just as I get the final knot close to undone, I feel someone grab me from behind -- it's Tor.\n\n"Naya," he says, "what in gods' name are you doing?"\n\nThe door opens. A husk of mummified flesh and cracked bones stands before me, its eyes little more than shriveled black pits and its mouth a single deep, dark hole. \n\n[[Attack it]]\n\n[[Try to lure it away]]\n\n

Not yet written. For now, go to the [[valley]].

"A pleasure to meet you, Taryn," I say, reaching out my hand to shake hers around Tor.\n\nShe takes my hand and looks into my eyes.\n\n"Likewise, Miss Naya," she says, and her voice is soothing to listen to - a mother's voice.\n\n"Where from?" I ask.\n\nTaryn starts to speak, but Tor interrupts. "We're from west of here -- my father is lord of Hahn, and we've just come from there."\n\n[[Lord of Hahn? Really?]]\n\n[[I think Taryn was about to speak.]]\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 1>>\n<<set $torlike = $torlike - 1>>

I keep playing as though nothing were wrong.\n\nThe next card is a heart. I reach for it, but as I do, the man to my left snatches up my hand. He looks at the cards face-up, then stares at me haggardly.\n\n"You liar," he spits. "Get out of here, little girl."\n\nA few other men approach, seemingly interested now. Even the tender lends an ear. I didn't plan on being this... exciting. Demali won't be pleased.\n\n\n[[Leave.]]\n\n[[I can't leave yet.]]

An hour passes. We share some food brought by the driver and porter, sitting cross-legged on the floor of this strange chamber, illuminated only by the witchlights around the room.\n\nAurelius looks haunted. His eyes are wide, and there are dark circles around them, as though he's tired beyond belief. The poor kid probably got no sleep last night -- how could he have? We all nearly died -- and now he's clearly at his limits.\n\n[[You'll be okay, Aurelius.]]\n\n[[(Pat him on the shoulder.)]]\n\n[[We've got a while to go yet.]]

I head out into the hallway, leaving Taryn behind. That was... odd. \n\nCould she be my target?\n\nWhat about Tor? He's missing, but...\n\nHe seems a little suspicious. He might be. Or she might. Then again, everyone on this caravan seems equally suspicious so far.\n\nI should go visit [[someone else.|notdone]]

I head back to where the crowd at the bar is sitting. The [[tender]] glances over to me, as if eager to get my order.\n\nWhere the hell is Demali? My mood is souring.

I slip inside the cabin interior just as she passes by me. I leave the murmur of conversation behind, outside.\n\nInside the room is surprisingly luxuriant. Silk pillows lie clustered on the ground rather than a bed, with a small and very elaborate [[writing desk]] against the wall. Numerous rugs are spread over the floor, and there are lines of glass beads trailing from the ceiling to drape over furniture. I can see a small [[letter]] lying on one of the silk pillows; I notice that there are also a pair of [[wine glasses]] shelved near the desk.\n\n\n<<set $brandyfurniture = 1>>

Ari smiles at me.\n\n"It won't come to that," she assures me. "You're going to complete your mission, and then my final task will be to secure your passage from Calypso to Madea, and we'll have our initiation ceremonies on the same day. Won't that be good? We can become sisters at the same time!"\n\n[[I'm looking forward to it.]]\n\n[[Don't you wonder if there's... something more?]]

I run for the rudder and start to untangle the rope that's keeping it jammed. It's a hard process, especially with the deck swaying under me, and I have to cling to the railing with my free arm.\n\nThere's a sudden brilliant burst of red light out in the water, different from the lightning. \n\n"The hell was that?" shouts the driver.\n\nSomehow, he manages to lash us a steady course for shore. I peer down into the water where that flash of red light was -- but I can't see Aurelius or Brandy. There's no sign of them at all.\n\nI call out -- no response.\n\nAre they dead?\n\n[[Hold on.]]

"Good."\n\nDemali relaxes her shoulders. "Then my fears are assuaged, for now. Emotions do not leave room for clarity. Passion -- anger -- those are best suited for men, who fight and romp as they please. Now... Let us begin."\n\nShe produces from within her surcoat a thin [[letter.]]\n\n<<set $demali = $demali + 1>>

"Taryn," I call to her.\n\nShe turns.\n\n<<if $tarynlike gte 15>>\nThere's relief plainly written on her face. \n\n"Naya. It's you." She seems to find some inner resolve and straightens. "I... I'm glad to see you."\n\n"I'm sorry to hear about the child," I say.\n\n"It is the gods' will. I do not fight them. I only now pray to them to tell them of my little one, and [[the life]] she might have lived."\n<<else>>\nShe looks somewhat wary of me.\n\n"I'm sorry to hear about the child," I say.\n\n"It is the gods' will. I do not fight them. I only now pray to them to tell them of my little one, and [[the life]] she might have lived."\n<<endif>>\n\n

"Well, there are no lords here," I say, gesturing around. "Only fellow passengers. Unless you wish to be lord of the caravan, of course."\n\nTor's lip curls. "I //know// that," he says defensively. "I just wanted to make my proper introduction. That's all."\n\nI see Brandy holding back a snicker.\n\nA door slams behind us then; we all turn to see [[a boy]] of maybe sixteen years, his traveling case slung over his shoulder.\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike - 3 >>\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 3>>

I follow Brandy into the interior of her cabin, shutting the door behind me. \n\nThis room is a little less spacious than mine, a little less nice. Her things haven't yet been set up -- several trunks are piled against the wall. That's quite a lot of stuff for one week's travel. \n\nOnly the vanity in the corner is set up for now: covered in a lavish cloth, the top is laden with all kinds of cosmetics in tiny vials and jars. A silver hair brush lies next to a golden hand mirror. \n\nThe room smells heady with the sweet scent of tea being brewed. As I enter the room fully, the teapot begins to sing. Brandy seems to draw a porcelain cup from nowhere; it is elegantly painted, lacking a handle, small and delicate. She fills it and hands it to me, procuring a second cup of tea for herself.\n\n"Do you take yours with cream and sugar?"\n\n"Yes, usually," I say.\n\n"Too bad. This is nice tea. [[Drink it]] the real way."\n\n

Everyone crouches in the back of the room. I head up to the front by the door and hide nearby, to dissuade them if they manage to --\n\nThe door bursts open, the rope snapping instantly. A husk of mummified flesh and cracked bones stands before me, its eyes little more than shriveled black pits and its mouth a single deep, dark hole. \n\nThe creature knocks me aside easily and shuffles past me into the room. I come at it from behind, but this time the creature latches onto my fist and sinks its shattered teeth into my knuckles.\n\nSeveral more creatures are climbing into the room now, similar to the first, these ones still wearing ancient battle armor. I turn to face them but another one grabs me from behind and tosses me into the wall as though I were a rag doll.\n\nThere's screaming. It's Taryn. I can't see anything.\n\n"Taryn!" Tor shouts over the noise. \n\nThen there's a [[bright flash of light.]]

"I... was curious," I say. "I just wanted to look around."\n\nBrandy's face goes surprised, then angry.\n\n"Stay out of there," she snaps. "I'll have you hanged for theft. You're an ugly, scrawny bitch. I don't like the look of you. And I'm going to report what you did to the night watch as soon as we're through."\n\nWith that, she stalks off towards the [[campfire]].\n

"But what --"\n\n"//Do not ask//, Naya! Cease your petulance! You are like a child," Demali snaps. "A feeble child. Do not ask questions. There is no truth. Only what must be done. We do not place right and wrong. We only observe."\n\n"Sorry," I mutter.\n\n"Let us talk of [[your mission]]," she says tiredly.\n\n<<set $demali = $demali - 2>>

It takes us an extra half-day to reach the path that leads to the Valley of Soldiers. By the time we arrive in dustier valley country, everyone's wishing we'd just taken the easier route.\n\nI get the feeling that I made a good choice. But it seems like the rest of the group ''is displeased with me.''\n\nNow is my chance to [[kill again]]; everyone is indoors for the time being. \n\nAlternatively, I could wait longer -- to be sure -- to be certain. \n\n[[To the valley.|valley]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 3>>\n<<set $torlike = $torlike - 3>>\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike - 3>>\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike - 3>>

The party ends up in Enso. Tor and Brandy both have business there. You can follow either and spy on them. At this point you can choose to kill again.\n\n[[To the Fyoran Forest]]

"Wait. Secrets?"\n\n"We do not pry, Naya."\n\n"But shouldn't we know?"\n\n"No." Demali's voice is flat. "We should not. Let us merely say that there are certain happenings in the newly-formed parliament that leave... a bad taste in the mouths of those who [[lost the war.]]"\n\nPart of me wants to [[ask more]], though I know it will anger her.\n

I head outside the room. I can hear soft cries from within, but there's nothing I can -- or will -- do now.\n\nIt's none of my business anyways. It's not my burden to help some woman with a miscarriage.\n\nMy job is to find out Fabula's identity. That's the only reason I'm here. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't [[owe these people|fall asleep.]] anything other than that -- it's just business, after all. I've got to remember that. \n\n

\n\n<html><img src="caravanlogo.png" style="position:absolute; top:-50px; left:-90px;"><br></html>

Taryn smirks. She rubs the front of her stomach a little, her brows furrowed. "I am contented. So long as my child is safe and I am happy, I am contented. He is a fool often, but he loves me, as I love him. Besides, soon we shall be parted, if he has his way."\n\n"What does that mean...?"\n\nTaryn shakes her head. "I've spoken too much. My apologies - I'm out of line, ne? Why don't you come back later when my husband's in? We can all chat then."\n\n[[I'll take my leave, then.]]\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike - 3>>

"Tor," I say, "have you ever actually even been in a fight?"\n\nTor folds his arms and turns his head downwards. "No," he says, "the boy's right. I'm useless, aren't I? I've never been in a real fight. I know the theory, but what good is that? Can't even hold my own against my father in the ring. Gods know I've tried." \n\nHis voice is shaky. "I just though -- when you asked, Aurelius -- maybe I'd be able to know more for once. That's all."\n\n[[Comfort him]]\n\n[[Against your father?]]\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike - 2>>\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike + 1>>

Brandy sighs and composes herself.\n\n"You know what," she says, "I haven't had my tea yet. Come in. I need something to wake me up. That's the problem here, I think."\n\nShe turns and heads inside, leaving me [[to follow|Go in]] in her wake.

He doesn't look at me directly.\n\n"Dozens," he mumbles. "I didn't mean to. They died so easy. Like little pieces of paper."\n\nAt that point, he breaks down, curling his head into his knees and rocking a little.\n\nThere's a cry from the other room. From [[Taryn's room.|Go help Taryn]]\n\nBut I've got to [[interrogate Aurelius more]]. He might be Fabula. That's my real duty here -- isn't it?

I do the only sensible thing and knock her out with a solid knock to the back of the head. She falls unconscious nearly immediately and her body goes slack; now it's easier for me to get us out of here alive.\n\nWe begin swimming for shore, my arms around her shoulders, keeping the both of us up by treading water beneath myself. \n\n[[Swim.]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 2>>

Tor stands, releasing his wife's hand.\n\n"While there is still a bond of marriage between us," he shouts, "she is my wife, and I will protect her!"\n\n"Yeah, because you're such a chivalrous guy," I point out. "You're planning on leaving her because your father disapproves. You can't protect anyone."\n\nWith that, I leave. Tor slams the door behind me.

"Do you have any notes?" I ask.\n\n"For what name, madame?" says the tender.\n\n"Naya."\n\n"Ah, no, unfortunately."\n\nThat's the end of it, I suppose. Demali wouldn't appreciate me giving out her identity. I turn.\n\n<<if $pin eq 0>>\n\n"Is there a group gathering, madame? All these crows." He gestures to my necklace, and I stop.\n\n[[Crows?]]\n\n<<endif>>\n\nMaybe I should check out the [[hearth|Head over.]]. This lead has gone cold.\n\n

"Why are you on a public caravan if you don't want to speak to others?" I call through the door. "You could've purchased a private cabin."\n\n"'Cause it's all I can afford, lady. Gods above, do you harrass everyone like this? You sound like my mother."\n\nHis voice dies off and there's a thoughtful pause.\n\n"Hey. What's your name again?" his voice is very near to the door.\n\n"Naya."\n\n"Okay. [[Get in here.]]"\n\n

Some hours later I wake and realize that the caravan has stopped.\n\nI head out to the observation deck. Only Aurelius is there. He looks drawn and pale, but... up and awake this time.\n\n"Why're we stopped?" I ask.\n\n"Taryn went to pray," he says. "Something happened. Don't know what. Don't care."\n\n"She lost the baby," says Brandy from behind us. "Have some respect, you idiots. We all had a rough night."\n\n"Oh," says Aurelius, his voice emotionless. "Is that it?"\n\nTaryn is alone. This could be a good chance to speak to the woman... or to carry out my mission, if she is not who she claims to be.\n\n[[Go find Taryn.]]\n\n

"I don't care," says Aurelius from behind the door. "I have literally no intention of talking to any of you on this trip. I'm not here to make friends."\n\n[[Why are you on a public caravan if you don't want to speak to others?]]\n\n[[(Lie) I have something for you.]]\n

Aurelius gives me a wide-eyed look and nods affirmatively. He goes to help the driver steer.\n\nMeanwhile, I head over to the rudder. It's working for now, but the hinges are creaking and it keeps catching on one of the ropes which stretches across the back of the caravan. It might jam up entirely if I don't do something.\n\nI begin tugging on it. I can't get ahold of it properly though -- the rudder is pulling the rope back and forth and I'm barely strong enough to pull on it. \n\nI hold on and dig my heels into the railing. Just then, the caravan rocks up on a wave and the deck tilts. I hear a scream from behind me. It's Brandy.\n\nI look over my shoulder to see Brandy clinging to the outside of the railing -- only a few feet above the waves.\n\nIf I let go of the rope, the rudder's going to get jammed for sure now. The caravan might tip. But if I don't help Brandy...\n\n[[Help Brandy]]\n\n[[Call out for someone to help Brandy]]\n\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike + 3>>

"Yes. Hello!" I say cheerily.\n\nBrandy folds her arms. "Still not sure what to make of you."\n\nI put out my hand. "I don't think we started off on the right foot. I'm Naya."\n\nShe looks at my hand pointedly until, a moment later, I withdraw it. \n\n"Well, come in, I guess," she says begrudgingly. "I've made enough tea for more than one. Otherwise I'd just be dumping it."\n\n[[Go in]]\n\n[[Nevermind. Thanks anyways.|notdone]]

"Yeah," says Aurelius, falling silent. He seems to be deep in thought. "I'm fine."\n\n[[We're almost there.|Okay.]]\n\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike + 2>>\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 2>>

I back him against the wall between his and Brandy's room.\n\nHe looks scared now that his face is illuminated. \n\n"I was asking her for advice," he says, "I swear to gods that's all, it wasn't more."\n\n"What are you trying to 'stay safe' from?"\n\nHe starts to talk, then stops. "I can't tell you," he says honestly. "Now leave me the hell alone."\n\n"No."\n\n"I'll call out, and the others will hear," he threatens.\n\nI can't have that happen. I begrudgingly release him. He slips inside his cabin and shuts the door. A moment later, I hear the door lock click. \n\nI sigh. Well, guess my only option is to go and get some [[rest|Go back to my room.]].\n\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike - 3>>

"Ari. Evening."\n\n"I heard you're going on your [[final task,]]" says Ari. The younger adept draws near, perches on the edge of the lighthouse balcony beside me. Her short, bobbed black hair obscures her face, and I cannot read her expression.\n\nOur legs dangle over the side, a thousand feet off the ground below, but I am not afraid. Ari [[is terrified of heights|might be]], I know, but I'm not. We are nimble; we have run a hundred rooftops and dropped down dozens of darkened pits. This is nothing.\n\n\n\n

"And do you understand the severity of this final mission? Its significance to you as a human? As a Lightbringer?"\n\n"Yes," I say, though I am not sure I do.\n\n"Then let us begin," Demali says, and her yellow eyes glint at me in the light. She draws near to me and presents me with a [[letter.]]\n\n

There's a blur of silks and suddenly the girl is on me, her hands around my throat.\n\n"//Take that back!//" she shrieks. \n\nSomeone's particularly sensitive about her makeup, obviously. I am pushed over backwards. The girl is significantly taller than me, and she presses me down into the ground, clawing at my face.\n\n[[Fight back]]\n\n[[Try to talk]]\n

Brandy drinks her tea for a moment in calm.\n\n"Hell if I know," she says, a second later. "But that'd be nice, wouldn't it? Gods. I'd love to be famous. But it's --"\n\n"What?"\n\n"//It's hard//," she snaps at me, setting down her empty teacup. "That's all. Why are you bothering me with this kind of inanity? Don't you have somewhere to be?"\n\nIt's odd. For that one moment I had the feeling she was -- for just a little while -- nice, or at least not hostile towards me. Maybe there's more to her than meets the eye.\n\n"Go," she says, and shoos me towards the door. "Scram."\n\nI get up, leaving my teacup behind.\n\n[[Head outside.|notdone]]

"Help her," I tell Brandy, and she kneels at Taryn's side.\n\n"Get away from her," Tor snarls. "She's hurt."\n\n"Is it serious?" I ask from the doorway.\n\n"I... I don't know," says Tor. He slowly leans back from his protective stance. He looks absolutely horrified to see the blood. "Is... is this my blood? Whose blood is this?"\n\nI notice that there are several bite marks on Tor's arms; some of the blood is from that. But the rest...\n\nThere are a couple of long claw gashes on Taryn's stomach. Blood seeps out through her clothes and pools on the floor.\n\n"Oh my gods," says Tor. "No... no... Taryn..."\n\nThe doors rattle, but luckily I'm holding them closed.\n\nTaryn groans. She can't even [[lift her head.]]

"Am I what?"\n\n"Fabula."\n\nHe turns to stare at me once more. "I have no idea what that means," he says, but I cannot see his face. It sounds as though he is honestly perplexed.\n\nWith that, he shuts his cabin door behind him.\n\nGuess I'd better get go [[rest|Go back to my room.]] while I still can.

"What! No, no!" Taryn laughs. "This is //bhaghdan.// It's not a danger to the little one. My goodness! I would never smoke something that would harm her. It's perfectly all right."\n\n"Her?"\n\nTaryn flushes faintly pink. "Well -- I don't know that for sure yet. I just -- I've been sort of hoping. It would be so exciting, ne? A little girl. I always wanted sisters growing up. My husband, though, he wants a boy. He's very insistent. Prays daily. We shall see, ne?"\n\nShe motions to the silver hose. "Now come, come!"\n\nShe takes it in her hand and inhales from the tip. Colored smoke trails from her nose for a moment as she exhales. Then she leans back, a peaceful expression on her face.\n\n[[All right. I'll smoke.|Sure. Why not?]]\n\n[[No, thank you.|I don't smoke.]]\n\n[[Does your husband know...?]]

The door opens and I slip in. Aurelius is standing before me, keeping the door open with one hand.\n\nNow that he's close, I notice he's wearing a ratty, faded [[school uniform]], the kind they impose at the northern prefectories. It looks like it's been weathered to death. His eyes appear gaunt, as though he [[hasn't slept]] in days, as though he's exhausted. Why is he so hostile?\n\n"Okay. What?"\n

I throw my weight behind my foot and push against the center of the frame, causing the doors to fling open with a loud CREAK. \n\nI hear a rustling inside the walls in response to the noise from my kick. It's the sound of rustling fabric, maybe -- or the sound of a ''sleeper turning over'' in bed.\n\nThe inside is very, very dark. As the doors open, though, a few lanterns around the walls glimmer into existence. They're witchlights -- magical balls of light -- and they must've sensed our entrance. \n\nIt's some kind of monastery, or... something.\n\n"What the hell was that noise? As the doors open, though, a few lanterns around the walls glimmer into existence. They're witchlights -- magical balls of light -- and they must've sensed our entrance. \n\nIt's some kind of monastery, or... something.\n\n"What the hell was that noise?" Brandy whispers.\n\nThe walls appear to be lined with strange markings. At the far end of the chamber is a small altar. Sticks of burned incense lie on top of it, and it's covered in a layer of dust, as though it hasn't been touched in centuries.\n\n[[Well, we can stay here in the worst case scenario.]]\n\n[[We should stick with the caravan.]]

Aurelius looks at me in wonder, his blue eyes very wide.\n\n"Cripes, lady, are you saying I'm better off dead? What the hell's wrong with you?"\n\n"No, I mean -- it's dangerous," I say, backpedaling. "You're very young. Even seasoned travelers couldn't make it through Ezwhitz pass. How did you manage?"\n\nHis expression darkens. \n\n"Dunno."\n\nI notice his right hand twitch, hanging loose at his side. The fingers curl. There's a faint glow there.\n\n"I think it's time you left," says Aurelius.\n\n[[Leave.|notdone]]\n

"You look... worn," I say. \n\nAurelius shrugs. "That's what happens when you climb over Ezwhitz peak in half a week, I guess."\n\n"... You climbed //Ezwhitz?//" \n\nThe mountain is notoriously dangerous. And that aside, there are giants, and frost demons, and a large amount of particularly unfriendly djinn. In fact, it's rumored the mountain was originally named after the djinn Ezwhitz himself.\n\n"Yeah."\n\n[[Why?]]\n\n\n\n\n

We all convene outside the caravan, and the driver spreads a paper map on a nearby flat rock. We gather around to look.\n\n"Since Naya didna' manage t'keep ahold of the rudder, we're far offa my usual course," says the driver. "We're closest to t' the ''Valley of Soldiers'', which is not m' usual route south."\n\nHe draws a line with his finger a little more south: "T' alternate route south is through t' ''Fyoran Forest''. I usually go through there. I know't better. But it's yer folks' call. That's about a half a days' ride, though." \n\nTaryn shakes her head. "I don't think I can handle any more detours right now," she says. "I... need a proper bed and shower. I'd like to go through Enso as soon as possible."\n\n"Ms. Pregnancy is correct," Brandy agrees. "I'm sick of looking at you all. I need a break from travel. No detours."\n\n"Naya?" says the driver. "Yeh've had a hard time o' it, savin' folks right an' left. Why don' you pick?"\n\n[[Fyoran Forest?]]\n\n[[Valley of Soldiers?|Valley of Shades?]]\n\n\n<<set $valleyorforest = 2>>

Taryn looks at me, then at her husband. Tor stares at me as though seeing me for the first time.\n\n"I'm honor bound!" he protests. "I'm doing only what my father--"\n\n"That is no excuse," I interrupt.\n\nTor puts his head in his hands.\n\nTaryn gets up with some difficulty and passes me, resting a hand on my shoulder as she goes. "I am going for a walk," she declares. "Do not follow." Then she's gone.\n\n"That could have gone worse," Brandy remarks. But Tor doesn't respond.\n\nNot soon afterwards, the porter comes by with the trappings of [[a meal.]]\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 2>>\n<<set $torlike = $torlike - 2>>

The man and I go outside, into the evening.\n\nI pause, silhouetted by the darkness. I know how I look, that I am menacing despite my small stature.\n\nThe man immediately makes a grab for me.\n\nThis. This is it. I grin.\n\n[[Duck away.]]\n\n[[Hit back.]]

"I'm looking for a woman. Her name is Demali," I say.\n\nThe tender gives me a blank look. \n\n"No, madame. No one by that name. Apologies."\n\nThat's the end of it, I suppose. I turn.\n\n<<if $pin eq 0>>\n\n"Is there a group gathering, madame? All these crows." He gestures to my necklace. \n\n[[Crows?]]\n\n<<endif>>\n\nMaybe I should check out the [[hearth|Head over.]]. This lead has gone cold.\n\n

"Have you met any of the other occupants?" I ask. "Anyone who might be in this car?"\n\nThe girl narrows her eyes at me, either in confusion or in suspicion. I can't tell.\n\n"What in gods' tears does it matter to you?" she says. "Anyways, no, I don't. I just got here a minute ago. You helped me pull my damn bag up the stairs."\n\nOh. Whoops. I get the feeling she's not liking me much.\n\nJust then, we're interrupted by [[a voice.]] \n\n"Good morning, ladies."\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 2>>

"Not everyone need be a talented fighter," I say. "The world has room for all types."\n\n"My wife says that too," says Tor with a dark chuckle. "Well -- wife for now. Not for much longer. My father wishes us parted, so I have no choice but to accept."\n\n[[You don't have to accept that.]]\n\n[[Your father has your best wishes at heart.|She'll be better off without you.]]\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 2>>

"What's that about?" I interrupt.\n\nTor looks away. "She's mad."\n\n"Yes, but -- why?"\n\n"My father wishes our marriage to be dissolved before a bishop of the church. So I have taken my wife on this pilgrimage to... annul our marriage. It is my father's wish. I would not disobey my family. But I love her, too, more than anything, and I wish she could see that I mean her no harm."\n\n[[Don't be too hard on yourself.]]\n\n[[You ARE a coward.]]\n\n

I drop the rope and run to the railing. I reach out a hand to Brandy.\n\nShe's too far down to reach, though. She reaches up for my hand, and I have to learn further over the edge to grasp her hand. \n\nI begin pulling her up -- but the caravan lurches on another wave, and suddenly I feel myself falling. We both hit the water with a slap, plunging beneath the dark waves. The water is ice cold, and I can see nothing. \n\nLuckily, I can swim. I kick for the surface. Brandy appears a moment later, clawing at the surface of the water, choking and sputtering in the waves. She's sinking.\n\n[[Grab her]]\n\n\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 10>>

"I... don't know what you're talking about," I say innocuously. "I've just come round the corner."\n\nBrandy jams a finger into my chest. "I'm not an idiot," she says quietly, deadly. "Far from. I know what you are. A petty thief. Give me one more reason to do so, and I'll tell the night guard exactly what you are."\n\nWith that, she stalks off towards the [[campfire]].

Demal laughs. "You are... very young. I forget sometimes."\n\nShe touches the back of my hand with two fingers. "It is not bad. But emotions do not leave room for clarity. Passion -- anger -- those are best suited for men, who fight and romp as they please. We must keep a settled mind, a clean mind. Otherwise..."\n\nShe smiles a little regretfully. "You risk getting hurt. Or worse, failing a mission. The Lightbringers do not fail."\n\nI nod. \n\n"Now, let us begin," Demali says, and produces a [[letter.]]\n\n<<set $demali = $demali - 1>>

Brandy scoffs. "The act? I promise you, this is sincere." She smirks a little. "But I've got to admire your... guts, I suppose."\n\nShe pauses. Then: "Well, why don't you come inside, then. I've made enough tea for more than one person anyways, I guess. I'd just be dumping it otherwise."\n\n[[Go in]]\n\n[[You know what, nevermind.|notdone]]

"What's this about?" I interrupt.\n\nTor looks away, but Taryn speaks up.\n\n"Oh, curious, are you two? Well -- let me tell you then. Toreth and I are going to Calypso for an ''annulment.'' One of the high-ranking bishops must declare our marriage invalid before a court of law, because that, dear friends, is how it is done in Hahn. Because I am an embarrassment to my husband's father, you see."\n\n"Not an embarrassment," Tor says, his voice choked. "Never an embarrassment, Taryn. That's not what I--"\n\n"That //is// what I am," she says, her gaze harsh. "Because you cannot stand up to your father, can you, Toreth? He's hated me since the day of our wedding. And now you've given in. They'll find out sooner or later, won't they? I'm just telling them now." She sweeps a hand out in Brandy's and my direction.\n\n[[Be calm, Taryn.]]\n\n[[Tor, you are a coward.]]\n

Ari draws forth into the grey light coming through my cabin window. She touches my wrist, then sits on my bed, her demeanor suddenly strangely.... casual. Catlike.\n\n"//Ashi//," she begins, "you were given a mission to kill by Demali. Were you not? But you have yet to complete it."\n\n[[Yes. I'm still planning on going through with it.]]\n\n[[I have... doubts about the mission.]]\n

Taryn blinks, raises the hose to her lips, inhales, her mouth pursed in consideration and her head tilted. Her red hair falls over one shoulder.\n\n"I think," she says, "you may have gotten a poor first impression. He is a kind man. Weak, but kind. Not negligent. I hope that does not displease you."\n\n[[That's quite all right.]]\n\n[[You should stand up for yourself.]]\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike - 2>>

I glance over the wine glasses. At first both seem identical; but then I notice that in the bottom of one is a small amount of residual [[white powder.]]\n\nInteresting. I wonder what use Brandy would have for such a thing? There's also the [[bottle]] standing against the table nearby, corked and sealed. It has yet to be opened. \n

"What do you want?" I call.\n\nThe rattling gets faster. The thing is evidently excited that we're in here, after all. Then, suddenly, it goes silent.\n\n"//Leave//," says the voice.\n\nWell, that's pretty clear.\n\n"Yeh, I was afraid o' that," says the driver, whispering to us. "See, we can't leave. We en't got a way around the rock pile."\n\n"Can we just.." Tor waves his hands. "... go? Pretend like we're leaving? And then come back later?"\n\n[[Tor's right. We should leave -- they may let us go.]]\n\n[[We've got to stay in here. If we leave, we're as good as dead.]]\n\n\n\n\n\n

---- ACT I: TROUBLED NIGHTS ----\n\n\nThe ocean spreads out under the still and starry night. It's a nice evening to be alive, perched high up above the world below.\n\nMy back is illuminated by the glow of a large yellow lantern; it's the guiding light of the city, the Lighthouse of Madnea. I've never felt so at peace anywhere else, watching the tall ships roll in and out of Madnea harbor on their way to foreign lands.\n\nTomorrow morning marks the start of my final test. I am worried.\n\n"Naya," says [[a voice]] from behind me, quietly, respectfully. My tranquil is broken.\n\n\n<<set $letter = 0>>\n<<set $ankle = 0>>\n<<set $demali = 0>>\n

I wake with sunlight on my face. It's early morning.\n\nGroggily I sit up and look around. Brandy's close nearby, staring out at the water, her arms around her knees. As she notices I'm awake, she gives me a startled look.\n\n"I was convinced you were dead," she said. "Had to drag you up on shore."\n\n"Yeah, well." I rub the back of my head. I'm sore everywhere.\n\n"I don't know where the caravan is," says Brandy. "It was too dark to see anything."\n\nI tug myself to my feet. "Well then," I say, "Let's get searching."\n\n"Are you..." Brandy hesitates. "Are you all right?"\n\n[[...You're actually being nice to me?]]\n\n[[Sore, thanks to you.|search]]\n\n[[Just fine. I'm glad you're alive.|search]]\n

I wake some time later in the near-darkness before dawn.\n\nThere's a figure at the foot of my bed.\n\n[[Attack]]\n\n[[Stay calm]]

As I come into the room, I notice the massive pool of blood blooming underneath Taryn on top of the bedcovers. She's sweating profusely; Tor is busy dabbing the sweat from her brow as Brandy pours something into a tiny glass, presenting it to Taryn.\n\n<<if $brandylike gte 8>>\nBrandy gives me a glance. "You can stay," she says to me flatly, her voice low and quiet as she comes close. "But make yourself useful. She's in the middle of a miscarriage."\n\n[[Okay. What can I do?]]\n<<else>>\nBrandy gives me a glance. "You should get out," she says, her voice low. "Now. I don't have time to fuck around with you. She's in the middle of a miscarriage, and you are no midwife."\n\n"I just--"\n\n"No. Get //out.//"\n\n[[I'll wait outside.]]\n\n[[Tor?]]\n<<endif>>\n\n[[It's no concern of mine.]]\n\n

"Do ''not'' push me," I say to him sternly, planting my feet. "Have a bit of respect."\n\nHe stops, blinks, stares at me.\n\n"Fine then," Aurelius mutters. "I won't."\n\nHe removes his hands. "But you'd better leave."\n\n"I just--"\n\nI notice his fingers twitching slightly; the tips are glowing very faintly.\n\nIt's probably time I [[left.|notdone]]

"Who told you?" I ask.\n\nAri smiles. "The other adepts know. Demali... maaay have let it slip to us." A slow grin spreads over her face. "But I think your task is so [[lucky,]] Naya. I can hardly wait to call you [[my sister]]."\n\nAri only knows as much about my task as I do: that it's a murder. That's traditional for the Lightbringers. But past that -- the details of the task -- we are both uncertain.\n

"What's the Valley of Soldiers?" I ask.\n\nTaryn laughs. "I've heard much of it. It was the site of a battle maybe -- I don't know -- maybe seven centuries ago? There are thousands of fallen soldiers buried under the valley floor. It's said that at night they come alive and walk the earth."\n\n"But we'll be going through during the day," Tor points out nervously. "R-right? .... Right, my sweet?"\n\n"Right," says Taryn, giving him a firm pat on the shoulder.\n\n[[What of the Fyoran Forest?|Fyoran Forest?]]\n\n<<if $valleyorforest eq 2>>\n[[Let's go through the valley, then.|valley]]\n\n[[Could be tricky. Let's go through the Fyoran Forest.|forest2]]\n<<endif>>\n<<if $valleyorforest eq 1>>\n[[Let's go through the valley, then.|valley2]]\n\n[[Could be tricky. Let's go through the Fyoran Forest.|forest]]\n<<endif>>\n\n

The woman is in mid pregnancy; the bump looks big on someone of her tiny size. She has gentle red hair pulled back behind her head, but her skin is slightly darker than fair, as though she had spent some amount of time in the sun. She does not speak, but rather nods genteely in my direction.\n\nThe man notices me looking at his wife and steps forward, shielding her from view briefly.\n\n"Looks like we won't be the only ones on this caravan!" he says, his voice louder than most. "I'm [[Toreth of Hahn,]] and this is [[my wife, Taryn.]]"\n\nThe wife in question furrows her brows. "Wife, Tor? Really?"\n\nHe goes on. "Please, call me Tor. And you are..."\n\n"Naya," I say. The Lightbringers do not give false names.\n\n"Brandy," says the less-than-pleasant girl next to me. \n\nTaryn, the wife, just gives us a gentle smile. I see that behind her eyes is a kind of commanding calm. \n\n\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 2>>\n<<set $torlike = $torlike - 1>>

I can kill now without making a fuss. It won't be too difficult.\n\nBut who?\n\n[[Kill Tor.]]\n\n[[Kill Taryn.]]\n\n[[Kill Brandy.]]\n\n[[Kill Aurelius.]]\n\n[[Nevermind. I don't think I should.|chat]]

"What do they mean they can't delay?" says Brandy indignantly.\n\n"For another chato, perhaps," says the messenger, "but they will not for you."\n\nBrandy's face goes red, her expression aghast.\n\n"Those bastards," she mutters.\n\nThe messenger is quiet a moment.\n\n"Brandy," he says, "As your friend -- and your agent -- don't go to them."\n\n"I have to!" Brandy snaps. "I don't have any other choice, Tomas. For the gods' sake, leave me alone."\n\nWith that, she begins to stalk back [[towards the caravans|campfire]].\n\n<<set $brandychato = 1>>

"Yeah," Brandy agrees. "This is better than that ramshackle wooden caravan. I don't particularly trust anything that floats."\n\nWe look around the chamber. It seems to have no exiting passages or anything - just this singular central chamber, covered with an old, dusty, ornate golden rug and several piles of what appear to be offerings for the dead -- traditional gifts of ivory and jade. Perhaps once there were monks who presided over the dead here, long ago, but nothing has moved in this chamber for many many years.\n\n"What are we preparing for?" I ask. \n\n"I don't know. All I know is I want to be ready," says Brandy. \n\nWe walk outside; the sun is almost set over the hills. By the fading red light we see Tor, Aurelius, the driver and porter all moving rocks down below. They've made a small dent in the blockage, but it's.... nowhere near enough for the caravan to go over.\n\nWe're not going to make it.\n\n"[[Let's get inside]]," Brandy says.\n

"If you're not full of lies," says Taryn, turning to look her husband in the eye, "then let us turn around now and go back to Hahn. Without regret. And you will tell your father that you are unafraid."\n\nThe two of them fall silent for a moment.\n\n"I can't," says Tor, barely audible, his hands trembling nervously.\n\n"Then your words mean nothing to me, Toreth." Taryn stands, with some difficulty, and walks off into the forest nearby.\n\n"Don't go too far--" Tor starts to call, but she very obviously ignores him.\n\nTor puts his head in his hands.\n\n[[Interrupt|Interrupt3]]\n\n[[Wait|Wait3]]

Brandy sits up, one elbow on her knee with her chin in her hand.\n\n"You've got that nice couch in your cabin," she says to Tor. "I think tonight you'll be using it."\n\nHe makes a noise of disgust. "Can you be silent for one moment, whore?"\n\n"//Whore?//" Brandy stands swiftly, her hand curling into a fist. She looks over to me. "You heard that too, didn't you, Naya? Which of us is the ass now?"\n\n\n[[Tor, you're out of line.]]\n\n[[Brandy, be silent.]]

Taryn nods. "I have been a code breaker since I was very young. Much younger than Aurelius. Maybe fourteen. The original //Fabula// in the beginning of the war was my father, Phini. But he is dead now and the task of code breaking fell to me. I was young, and stupid, and thought that I was doing good for the North and for my people."\n\nShe tucks her hair behind one ear. "War only brings more death. I facilitated that. And I could not live with what I was working on -- I kept it secret even from Toreth. When I learned I was pregnant and that Tor's father wished us to annul our marriage, I determined that I would do whatever necessary with my knowledge and my transcripts to ensure that my baby and I would be protected and well fed. And I determined to leave that line of work, by any means necessary."\n\nShe gives me a dark and defiant look, as if daring me to question her motives, to tell her she was wrong. \n\n[[I won't kill you.]]\n\n[[It's time to die.]]

\nI hang back, taking a seat near Brandy.\n\n"Taryn," he says, his eyes lowered. "You know this trip doesn't change anything about us. You aren't being fair. You're putting me in a hard place and I'm trying to stand by you."\n\nTaryn shakes her head slowly, staring at the dirt. "How can you possibly say that, ne? You know it's lies. I cannot respect that."\n\n"It's not." he grabs her hands in his firmly.\n\n\n\n[[Interrupt.|Interrupt.]]\n\n[[Wait.|Wait2]]

"Of Hahn?" I say. "The western city?"\n\n"Yes, miss," he says. "My good father is lord there."\n\nAh, so not a baron, but a lord. He's an extremely powerful man, then. That's... prestigious. He probably grew up with only the finest silks to wipe his ass. I glance over and notice Brandy wearing a similar expression as mine; her mouth is drawn in a wry smirk.\n\nHe pauses as though he's waiting for me to [[validate him.]]\n\nI could say something [[to impress Brandy]], though.\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 2>>

\n''---- ACT III: THE DEAD AND THE SINGING ----''\n\n\nThe caravan arrives at the edge of the valley around midday. It spreads out before us -- a deep canyon running straight south, with few curves. We can see the end in the distance, obscured by a cold mist.\n\nThe valley is filled with red sand and dusty brown rocks, and not much else. There is no sign of life here, no birdcalls, no wind. The air is still.\n\nHundreds of small stone piles line the path as we begin to descend down into the valley floor.\n\n"Someone moved those into little piles," Brandy says. "They're not natural. That seems... tacky."\n\n"They're graves," says Taryn solemnly, [[looking out over the railing|stay here with Taryn and Brandy]] of the observation deck.\n

I head back to the caravan. The steps are withdrawn by the porter and we are afloat above the ground once more. \n\nA minute or two later the caravan begins to move. We're heading out of the forest now, and very far in the distance it seems that the landscape ends -- and there is only a flat wide expanse of darkness. \n\nI can only assume that's the ''Dolores river.''' I've heard it's very wide. But I've never seen it for myself.\n\nAs I head into the hallway interior of the caravan, I notice that all the doors are closed. There is light coming from [[underneath Aurelius's door]] and light from [[Taryn and Tor's door]], too. Brandy's room is dark.\n\nI could eavesdrop. I might learn something -- about who my target might be.\n\nOr I could [[rest]]. I may need the extra energy later on tonight when we cross the Ford of Dolores. \n\n<<set $rested = 0>>

Brandy sets her cup down on the table. "What? You mean you don't... oh, right, you're one of those country types, I suppose. Not one of the wealthier folk, I'm guessing? Usually other travelers can tell from my..." she motions to the thick kohl around her eyes. "My face."\n\nHow did she know I wasn't wealthy?\n\n"That explains it, I suppose. I'm traveling the circuit. It's customary for //chato//. You must not be from a city, either, hm?"\n\n[[Chato?]]\n\n[[How do you know these things?]]

"I'm honor bound!" he protests. "I'm doing only what my father--"\n\n"That's no excuse," I interrupt.\n\nTor puts his head back into his hands again. He seems defeated.\n\n\n\n"That could have gone worse," Brandy remarks. But Tor doesn't respond.\n\nNot soon afterwards, the porter comes by with the trappings of [[a meal.]]\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 2>>\n<<set $torlike = $torlike - 2>>\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 4>>

That's what it is. I'm afraid to be a Lightbringer.\n\nMaybe I'm committing to something that is... larger than I can handle.\n\nMaybe it's not what I want.\n\nOr maybe it is. Gods, I don't know.\n\n\nI fall asleep thinking of this, and waiting for [[morning to come]].

"There is an old saying in Netherti," says Taryn, "the language we speak in Hahn. It translates to something like -- //a single link is broken easily; it is only the chain that survives the pull of time.//"\n\nBrandy snorts. "That's stupid. You don't need anyone but yourself to make it," she says.\n\nTaryn smiles gently. "I hope that's true," she says. "After Tor and I are annulled before the Calypso Church, I will be.... quite alone."\n\nWith that, she heads indoors. Brandy looks as though she's going to say something to me, but just shakes her head and retreats into silence.\n\nI should [[join Tor and Aurelius]].\n\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 2>>\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 2>>

Brandy pauses. \n\n"Yes, someone with your same eyes and face."\n\n"It really wasn't me," she insists. "Sorry. But I haven't been on this track before. It may be a sibling of mine. [[My sisters]] travel often."\n\n"They are travelers?"\n\n"They're chato, yeah."\n\n"Ah. And you as well?"\n\n"That's not a [[thing you ask a lady]], is it?" she sneers.\n\n<<set $brandysisters = 1>>

"We need to cross the ford early in t' morn," says the driver. "'Bout seven hours from now. I ain't scairt o' the water, but when it rains heavy like, the Dolores ain't the kind o' river yeh want to be crossin'."\n\n"Can't you just... raise the caravan over the water?" I suggest. "With magic?"\n\n"No, lass. Water does awful things ta' magic. Water an' iron. Don' you know? Thas' why they say witches don' swim. We gotta ford th'caravan through the current."\n\nI didn't know. \n\n"Best [[get yer sleep.]] I'll sound the alarm when yeh all need to come up to th'top deck," says the driver.

I remain silent.\n\n"There are often times in this world when we must be scared of what lies ahead of us," says Taryn, rising from the Holy Stone. "I was terrified last night, after the little one passed. I was so scared. I didn't know what to do with myself. My annulment is in two days, and then Tor will go back to Hahn and I shall stay in Calypso, alone, unloved, now without even a child to call my own. I shall have nothing to prove we were ever married."\n\nShe smiles. "But you know what? I'm not scared somehow. Because now I think, perhaps I have told my last //Fabula//. Perhaps this time my sorrow is over. Now I have nothing left to lose. I have no home. I have nothing."\n\nTarn turns. "I know what you are, Naya. I know you have been sent to kill me. I've known since the first day."\n\n[[I won't kill you.]]\n\n[[It's time to die.]]\n\n[[I want to know your side of the story I was told.]]

"I... was following someone in there," I say, looking puzzled. "I thought I saw a man going into your quarters -- just for a moment."\n\nBrandy's expression goes slack. "Did he -- was he -- tall?" she asks, curious.\n\n"Yes, very," I lie.\n\n"Tomas," she mutters, and heads for the caravan interior. A moment later she pokes her head out again, looking irritated; "Well, there's no one here now. You're a fool." \n\nWith that, she stalks off towards the [[campfire]].\n\n<<set $tomas = 1>>

I leave the hallway and climb up the tall ladder that leads to the captain's quarters. I am surprised to discover that the top part of the caravan is a flat deck; cargo, lashed to the sides, only comprises about one-third of the deck. The rest is open space, as though it were a ship, with a railing wrapping around the outside.\n\nThe captain steps into the pouring rain out of his quarters and shouts over the wind. "Don't fall in!" he cries. "Mind yeh be cautious with t'waves' rocking!"\n\nTor is not far behind me. "My wife can't climb the ladder," he shouts to the driver. "I'm going to stay down with her!"\n\n"Suit yerself, man," says the driver, "but if we take on water, t'lower chambers'll flood first!"\n\nI notice Brandy and Aurelius against the railing nearby. They are both peering southward, their eyes set [[on land.]]\n\n<<if $rested eq 0>>\nI'm exhausted. I should have rested more. Why did I bother eavesdropping?\n<<endif>>

Brandy sets her cup down on the table. "What? You mean you don't... oh, right, you're one of those country bumpkin types, I suppose. Not one of the wealthier folk, I'm guessing?"\n\nHow did she know that?\n\n"This position is called //saza//. It's something one does during a tea ceremony. It's customary for //chato//. You aren't from a city, either, hm?"\n\n[[Chato?]]\n\n[[Tea ceremony?]]\n\n[[How do you know these things?]]

We head up as one group to the monastery in the hillside. Taryn has difficulty managing the terrain, but the porter and Tor manage to get her to the doorway, and from there we head indoors.\n\n<<if $didntseemonastery eq 1>>\nThe inside is very, very dark. As the doors open, though, a few lanterns around the walls glimmer into existence. They're witchlights -- magical balls of light -- and they must've sensed our entrance. \n\nWe look around the chamber. It seems to have no exiting passages or anything - just this singular central chamber, covered with an old, dusty, ornate golden rug and several piles of what appear to be offerings for the dead -- traditional gifts of ivory and jade. Perhaps once there were monks who presided over the dead here, long ago, but nothing has moved in this chamber for many many years.\n<<endif>>\n\nThe sun's last rays are beginning to die, painting our skin and clothing red. The driver hangs onto the edge of the doorway to the monastery and peers down at the ground far below. I wonder what he's looking for.\n\nWe huddle [[in silence.]]\n\n<<set $monastery = 1>>

"Yes." Brandy sighs. "You really are ignorant, aren't you. That's sweet. //Chato// are entertainers. We are skilled in the art of dance and song, of keeping men's minds occupied with interesting conversation and poetry. We attend parties and we use our skills to please the guests. We are... hired hands, so to speak. And some //chato// are ridiculously famous. Some of them even marry into the aristocracy, and then... they're set for life."\n\nShe turns her profile to me. "The main birthplace for //chato// is in Calypso. That's where they strike it big. That's why I'm here."\n\n[[So you think you'll become famous?]]\n\n[[That seems like a trivial pursuit.]]

I head to the pillows and carefully unfold the letter. The ink has run in a few places, as if drops of water had fallen on the parchment -- or tears, I guess.\n\n"Do what you like. I know of nothing in this world more shameful than you have been to me. The very sight of you makes me weary; you are like a spoilt child.\n\nP.S. Do not come to Enso. It hasn't worked before and it won't work now. Frankly, you're pathetic.\n\ncordially,\nMedessa"\n\nOuch.\n\nI turn back to the room, but as I glance around, I notice the sound of footsteps approaching. Should I [[run for it]] or just [[hide myself]]?

I put the diary back. Surely Brandy would notice. She seems... perceptive, like a snake.\n\nI turn back to the room, but as I glance around, I notice the sound of footsteps approaching. Should I [[run for it]] or just [[hide myself]]?

"Yes," I say, tilting my head. "Yes, it is, isn't it."\n\nIt's an old Lightbringer saying - that fear is just the absence of illumination, I mean. That knowledge can liberate you.\n\nThe younger adept takes my hand in hers. "The Lightbringers have brought me clarity. You as well. And now I can sit here beside you, a thousand feet above the ground, and feel no terror within me. And soon, we will both be [[sisters|my sister]]."\n\n

<<if $torlike gte 8>>\nTor breaks from his reverie to look at me.\n\n"She's been kind to me, and to Taryn as well. Let her stay, Brandy," he says distractedly, and then turns back to his wife, his hand gripping hers.\n\nBrandy points to the bathroom. "Fine. Naya. You see the tub? Get it filled. She's going to pass the child."\n\n"I can't," Taryn whispers. "Please -- gods -- let me keep my baby, please, please, no--"\n\nTor's face is just white. He can't say anything. His lips tremble, silent.\n\nBrandy taps my cheek. "Pay attention," she says. "Look at me. Get that bath running. Do you understand? Warm. //Not// hot."\n\n[[What about saving the child?]]\n\n[[Yes, Brandy.]]\n<<else>>\nTor breaks from his reverie to look at me. But his eyes are fogged.\n\n"What do you want?" he asks. "Go away. My wife is in pain. And I haven't time for you."\n\n[[I'll wait outside.]]\n<<endif>>\n

"Enso's not a place I'd get off gladly," says the driver.\n\n"Well, that's you. You haven't got the constitution for a place like Enso. It's dirty and scary and frankly, I find it beautiful."\n\n"Not many men do, I imagine. Nor women." \n\n"Fine. That's your preference." Brandy looks irritated as she stalks back to the [[campfire]] without another word.\n\n<<set $ensoplace = 1>>

"None of your damn business. Womanly things, which I can judge from here you are relatively ignorant of."\n\nShe smirks at me as she tries to heave her bag up and fails. \n\n"If you don't want to be entirely useless," she says, "you could at the very least [[help me|Help her]] lift this thing."\n\n[[No thanks. I'm good.|Do nothing]]

Brandy sighs. "You really are ignorant, aren't you. That's sweet. I've been all over Dona and I've rarely met a citygoer who didn't know what a //chato// was. You saw how that idiot kid outside looked at me. He knew. But you didn't. That must mean you are either quite poor, or quite unfamiliar with the northern cities."\n\nShe continues: "//Chato// are entertainers. We are skilled in the art of dance and song, of keeping men's minds occupied with interesting conversation and poetry. We attend parties and we use our skills to please the guests. We are... hired hands, so to speak. And some //chato// are ridiculously famous. Some of them even marry into the aristocracy, and then... they're set for life."\n\nShe turns her profile to me. "The main birthplace for //chato// is in Calypso. That's where they strike it big. That's why I'm here."\n\n[[So you think you'll become famous?]]\n\n[[That seems like a trivial pursuit.]]

I climb down the outside of the caravan and begin walking along the shore. I don't know which way I'm going, but all I can hope is that I somehow find them.\n\nOut of sheer luck, It only takes about half an hour. I see two figures washed up on shore, one white-blonde, and one with darker hair. Aurelius seems to be awake; he's crouched over Brandy, who is on her back.\n\nAs he sees us, he straightens. "She's alive," he says, "but not in good shape."\n\nI trudge over and look down at Brandy. She looks back up at me groggily.\n\n"Come on," I say to Aurelius, "help me [[get her up.]] We'll get her back to the caravan."\n\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike + 3>>\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 3>>

"I'm honor bound," he defends himself. "I'm doing only what my father--"\n\n"I know. Don't be too hard on yourself," I say, taking a seat next to the older man. I settle a hand on his shoulder and he looks at me with gladness, however small. \n\nBut soon, Tor puts his head back into his hands again. \n\n\n"That could have gone worse," Brandy remarks. But Tor doesn't respond.\n\nNot soon afterwards, the porter comes by with the trappings of [[a meal.]]\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike - 1>>\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 5>>

I go indoors and enter Aurelius's room. The door is unlocked. Kid should probably be faster to lock up his things.\n\nIt's very sparse inside; the bed is completely bare but for the mattress, and there is nothing on the provided table or armchair. No clothes are strewn on the [[floor.]] I see only a small brown [[traveling bag]] in the corner of the room. \n\n

I press my ear against Taryn and Tor's cabin door as quietly as possible.\n\n"... that we have to get a total stranger involved!" says Tor, his voice heated.\n\n"Naya was just confused. They all were, Toreth, it's embarrassing that we're fighting in public as it stands."\n\nHe sighs. "I know, dearheart. I just..."\n\nThere's a sound of rustling fabric. The noise of lips meeting. Well, I'm eavesdropping on a married couple, what did I expect?\n\n"I love you," he says. "I don't want to lose you."\n\n"I believe you," says Taryn. "But I don't think you love me enough to let go of your fear. I do not think you are capable of it. But I want to believe that you are."\n\n"I'll support you and the baby. Whatever happens."\n\n"I know."\n\nThere's silence.\n\n"I'm going to sleep," says Taryn. The two fall silent.\n\n\nWell, that's the end of it, I suppose. I should [[rest|Go back to my room.]] too.\n\n

Sure. I show the pin, flipping my lapel the other way. \n\n... Where was I? Oh, yes. My [[mentor]].\n\n<<set $pin = 0>>

Brandy and Tor give me glares as I turn to walk away.\n\n"My wife is dying, and you...." Tor is at a loss for words, his rage is so strong. \n\n[[She's hardly your wife, is she?]]\n\n[[I bear no ill will. Just apathy.]]

I let Aurelius push me out the door and he closes it in my face. I hear the bolt turn.\n\nWell, great.\n\nI should go [[someone else|notdone]] while I've got a little time.\n

I pause in the shadows. I shouldn't go directly back to my room yet. I might hear something else --\n\nI notice the silhouette of a figure standing by Aurelius's door.\n\nIt's Aurelius. He didn't go inside after all. The boy's been waiting there. \n\n"What did you hear?" he whispers, drawing near. His face is half hidden in shadow, but from what I can see, he looks panicked. \n\n[[Not much. Just... standing in the hallway... in the dark.]]\n\n[[(Threaten) You're gonna tell me everything.]]

I head outside. The night is warm, and the moon is bright.\n\nThere's no one out here. As I circle round the back of the tavern by the trees, I notice the silhouette of a figure lurking by the back windows.\n\n"Demali."\n\nThe figure approaches. It's my mentor, her long, dark hair bound into a tight braid. She removes her hood and smiles.\n\n"Ah, Naya. My young apprentice. What do I tell you about drawing attention?" Her accent, when she's not disguising her voice, is thick - but not harsh on the ears.\n\n"Apologies."\n\n"I saw what happened in there," she says.\n\n[[You wanted to meet me?|What did you want to talk about?]]\n\n<<set $demali = $demali + 1>>

I head out into the hallway. Who should I see now?\n\n<<if $seenbrandy eq 0>>\n[[Brandy.]]\n<<endif>>\n<<if $seenaurelius eq 0>>\n[[Aurelius.]]\n<<endif>>\n<<if $seentaryn eq 0>>\n[[Tor and Taryn.]]\n<<endif>>\n[[Wait until break.|Hallway]]

"What must I do?" I ask.\n\n"A caravan chain leaves tomorrow from here," says Demali. "The chain is five caravans long. As you've noticed, your target is somewhere on Caravan Four. I've reserved you a cabin at the tail end of that caravan. Determine Fabula's identity and eliminate them -- but for the gods' sake, do it quietly, and do it secretly. You must avoid public bloodshed."\n\n[[Anything else?]]

Aurelius ignores my protests and shoves me bodily through the door, slamming it in my face. Well, so much for diplomacy.\n\nI guess I'm done here. What is up with that kid? Why is it that he doesn't listen to reason? I was just trying to be nice.\n\nI move back out into the [[hallway.|notdone]]\n\n\n

Brandy and I climb down the hillside to where the others are lifting the rocks still.\n\n"There's a stone room built into the hillside," she says, pointing. "See that door up there?"\n\nThey do. It's small but definitely there. "We can go in there," Brandy says. "We can stay the night."\n\n"This is ridiculous!" says Tor, dropping his stone. "There is //no such thing// as ghosts walking the earth!"\n\n"Er, on t'contrary, m'lord," says the driver, "I see't all the time. It's very common. They're a bit o' a pest, really. It's a southern phenomenon. Sort o' like fireflies an' palm trees, but... yeh know... dead-er."\n\n[[Let's hide in the chamber, then.|monastery]]\n

"It's clearly a code name of some kind," Demali says. "But as to Fabula's real identity -- we know nothing."\n\n"The writer is unknown. What we do know, however, is that Fabula was a well-known codebreaker during the war. We've got proof from several sources confirming that Fabula will be heading down to Calypso to sell all of his or her information upon arrival. The two-thousand denarii is payment for that information."\n\nShe nods to me. "I might add that this information is highly sensitive - it concerns [[secrets of certain matters]] in the Donan government that would be.... particularly disastrous if they fell into the [[wrong hands.]]"\n\n<<set $demali = $demali + 2>>

The girl turns back to me.\n\n"Are you serious? Are you //actually serious//?" she says. "I've been a complete bitch to you for the last -- what -- the last ten minutes! Were you jumbled in the womb or something? Are you missing a piece? What part of 'go the hell away' do you not understand?!"\n\nShe sighs.\n\n"You know what," she says resignedly, "fine. You may be an idiot but you're a persistent idiot. And I //gotta// admire persistence."\n\nJust then, we're interrupted by [[a voice.]]\n\n"Good morning, ladies."\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 2>>

"Have you divined the gender yet?" I ask, taking a seat on the other stool in the caravan cabin.\n\n"No," says Taryn, a smile spreading over her face. "We've decided to leave it a surprise. -- Er." Her smile falters. "Rather, //I// have. It'll be my child."\n\n"Not... his?"\n\nShe seems about to respond, but then just shakes her head. "Come. Shall we smoke together? It's customary in Hahn. I don't know about you folks out east here, but we love //bhagdan.//"\n\n[[Sure. Why not?]]\n\n[[Isn't that harmful to the child?]]\n\n[[I don't smoke.]]\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 2>>

\n\n---- ACT II: WATERS ----\n\n\n\n\n\nSo that is my task then: to get on the caravan, discover Fabula's identity, and complete an assassination of that person.\n\n\n--\n\n\n\nLying in bed at the tavern later that evening, all I can think about is the dream I had on the carriage ride here. I can barely lie in bed. It's [[too cold.]]\n\n\nI sit by the window a while, [[looking outside.]]\n

As I enter the second floor lounge, I notice the door to the balcony is open.\n\nI see no one on it, though.\n\n"Apprentice," says Demali, her voice low. I cannot tell if I have done well or ill.\n\n"You have attracted.... significant attention," the voice continues. I lean over the balcony and see Demali standing in the shadows below. As I leap over the edge and drop down, catlike, she reveals herself to me: dressed in simple black, her hair bound down her back in a no-nonsense braid.\n\n"Do not be so careless again. Sometimes I lack faith in your... prowess."\n\n[[You wanted to talk to me?|What did you want to talk about?]]\n\n<<set $demali = $demali - 1>>

"Aurelius," I say.\n\nThe boy doesn't respond. His eyes are glazed over still.\n\n"What happened back there?"\n\n"Same thing that happened before," he mumbles. "Everything dead. I killed them all. I'm a monster. I'm not human. I kill everything. That's why parliament wants me. That's all I'm good for. War. I'm always someone I'm not."\n\nHe curls up. He seems to need some time to recover.\n\n[[You're no monster.]]\n\n[[You've killed people?]]

<<if $demali gte 5>>\nDemali gives me one last grin. "You'll do very well, apprentice," she says. "I can feel it. I've never seen one as promising as you. Not in all my years."\n<<endif>>\n<<if $demali gte 3 and $demali lt 5>>\nDemali gives me a semisure smile. "You'll do all right, Naya," she says; "take comfort." \n<<endif>>\n<<if $demali gte 0 and $demali lt 3>>\nDemali gives me an unreadable look. "I do not know yet what to make of you, apprentice," she says. "You say the wrong thing often. Perhaps we shall see in time."\n<<endif>>\n<<if $demali lt 0>>\nDemali scowls one last time. "I have little faith at this point that you wll survive your task," she says. "You are one of the weakest apprentices I've had in years. Nevertheless -- luck and swiftness, Naya." \n<<endif>>\n\nWith that, [[she leaves.|Act2]]\n\n\n---- END OF ACT I ----

"That is wise," says Demali after a moment, as if unsure whether to wholly trust me.\n\nBut she produces from within her cloak a thin paper [[letter.]]\n\n"Let us begin your task," she murmurs.\n

I just let them continue, my arms folded.\n\n"Next," begins Tor, "you've got to get your arms straight out in front of you like this. If you have both fists pointed directly at your enemy, then he'll be often too terrified to approach." \n\nTor keeps one fist balled protectively by his jaw while he sticks his right arm straight out like a dog pointing at prey. It looks hilariously awful.\n\n[[How fascinating, Tor. Tell me more about battle tactics.|So show us how it's done.]]\n\n[[That's definitely wrong.|Point out his error]]\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 2>>

That's what it is. I've never killed someone before who didn't deserve it.\n\nWell, but I don't know that this Fabula person doesn't deserve to die, right? Maybe he -- or she -- does. Maybe they're a bad person. \n\nI fall asleep thinking of this, and waiting for [[morning to come]].

I push past the creature to the outside.\n\n"Come on!" I shout at it -- nonsense syllables -- anything to try and get its attention. It turns to me and seems to come towards me for a moment... but then realizes I am not its real target, and it turns and shuffles back into the room. \n\nI come at it from behind, but this time the creature latches onto my fist and sinks its shattered teeth into my knuckles.\n\nOw. I yank my hand back in pain.\n\nSeveral more creatures are climbing into the room now, similar to the first, these ones still wearing ancient battle armor. I turn to face them but another one grabs me from behind and tosses me into the wall as though I were a rag doll.\n\nThere's screaming. It's Taryn. I can't see anything.\n\n"Taryn!" Tor shouts over the noise. \n\nThen there's a [[bright flash of light.]]

I press myself against the back of the caravan, leaning against the wall. If anyone comes upon me, I won't look too suspicious.\n\n"I've seen you on this caravan before, haven't I?" asks the man.\n\nBrandy stares for a moment. "No," she replies, "I'm fairly sure you haven't."\n\n"Haven't I? Or [[someone very like you]], madame. I was just wondering, madame, [[where you are traveling from]], and to."\n\nBrandy shakes her head. "Not me. Sorry."\n\n"But madame--"\n\nBrandy begins to [[walk out to the woods]] to get away from him.

It's a game of //kadenshi//. I've heard about it before, but I'm not the sort of girl to gamble. I know what it does to men.\n\nSometimes I wonder how I ended up as a would-be assassin.\n\nKnowing Demali, this is probably a [[test]].

"Yeah? My mother taught me not to take anything from strangers." I hear him laugh, and it's an odd mix of triumph and distaste. "I know better. Now go away."\n\nI hear his footsteps fade as he walks away from the door. Whatever I've said, he obviously doesn't like it.\n\nI should go see [[someone else|notdone]] while I've got time.\n\n<<set $seenaurelius = 1>>

//James,\n\n\nI cannot think of what to say. You are a good man. I plan to be down in Calypso on the caravan leaving the 14th from Dolores. I'll see to it that I meet your fellow as soon as I am able. Tell him to meet me at Caravan Four.\n\nThe agreed upon amount was two thousand denarii, and as you are -- and have been -- a man of your word, I see no reason why I ought to doubt that now.\n\nThe book I am bringing contains transcripts of all that I intercepted during my time. I think you will find them very helpful. Tell your men that I am in your graces now, and am no threat to them. I would hate to find myself on the wrong side of a set of bars.\n\nBest,\nFabula//

"Be silent," I tell Brandy. She curls her hands into fists. She's shaking with anger.\n\n"You're all idiots," she seeths. "Bloody idiots. All of you!"\n\nShe stalks off into the woods after Taryn. Now both of the other women are gone, and it is just me and Tor.\n\nHe puts his head in his hands again and falls quiet.\n\n"This is my fault," he says at last. "My father wants our marriage annulled. We're heading to Calypso to get a bishop to dissolve us. She's angry and I can see why. I just wish she could understand my position."\n\nWith that, he leaves, too. Now everyone is gone, save for the driver and myself. \n\nNot soon afterwards, the porter comes by with the trappings of [[a meal.]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 2>>\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 3>>

He nods morosely. "My father won dozens of tournaments when he was my age. He won my mother's hand at such a tournament. She was the daughter of a baron in Kieralos, to the south."\n\n"That... seems... hard," says Aurelius, breaking his silence.\n\n"What?"\n\n"Hard to live under. I think it would be. To have someone who's always better than you, always in front of you, I mean. Isn't that a hard life to live?"\n\n"I love my father, and respect his abilities," says Tor, drawing his hand over his heart.\n\n"Yeah, but that's..." Aurelius trails off. "Well, nevermind."\n\nSuddenly the caravan [[comes to a stop.]]\n\n

Aurelius lifts himself up just as the panic begins to reach a frenzy. His eyes are blank.\n\n"Aurelius!" calls Brandy.\n\nHe turns his blank gaze to her.\n\n"Use your magic again. Get us out of here," she pleads. "We're gonna be killed otherwise."\n\n"I... I can't," he says. "I'm not..."\n\n"You just did!" she says. "Listen. You can't keep it hidden anymore. You've got to help us out now or none of us are going to live. You included."\n\nThe doors rattle again. The noise seems to startle him. Aurelius seems to go into a [[deep concentration]] then, his eyes glazing over with a fervent look in his gaze.\n\n

I go to knock on Aurelius's door, but there's no answer.\n\nI knock again, louder.\n\n"Fuck off," grunts a voice from within.\n\n[[I just want to come in.]]\n\n[[Go see someone else.|notdone]]\n\n<<set $seenaurelius = 1>>

I head up to the bar and have a seat.\n\nThe tender looks at me; "Yes, madame?"\n\n[[Ask about Demali.]]\n\n[[Have you any notes?|I'm looking for someone...]]\n\n

\n\n"Don't speak that way to her," I interrupt. "You've no place. Especially not now."\n\nTor puts his head back into his hands again. He seems defeated.\n\n\n"I'll teach you to snark at me," Brandy snaps at him. But Tor doesn't respond.\n\n"This is my fault," he says at last. "My father ''wants our marriage annulled.'' We're heading to Calypso to get a bishop to dissolve us. She's angry and I can see why. I just wish she could understand my position."\n\nWith that, he leaves. \n\nNot soon afterwards, the porter comes by with the trappings of [[a meal.]]\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 2>>\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 3>>

We're about 600 meters from the other side of the river. The driver is trying to strongarm a wooden pole which appears to be connected to a rudder on the back of the caravan - it must have folded out when we first entered the river. He's trying to steer us against the current.\n\nBrandy is clinging to the railing, looking as though she'll be sick any moment. I don't think she's going to be much help here.\n\n"One of yeh, 'elp me steer!" he calls over the pouring rain and thunder. "An' another one of yeh, keep that rudder from jamming up! If it jams, we're all in fer a rough time!"\n\n\n[[Aurelius, you help steer.]]\n\n[[I'll help steer. Aurelius, you take the rudder.]]\n\n\n\n\n\n

I head over to the tub and turn the knob; it begins to fill with water from the spout. I check the temperature to make sure it's not scalding.\n\nA minute later, Tor carries his wife into the bathroom and lowers her into the tub, her clothing soaked with blood. \n\n"The child may still yet live," Taryn says feverishly.\n\n"The child's dead. [[Let it pass,]]" says Brandy. Her eyes are distant, and her voice is very, very soft.\n\n

She rolls her eyes. "I'm not looking to make friends with someone who lacks any kind of personality. I know you -- you're probably that diplomatic type of woman, aren't you? Smooth everything over, make amends. I'm not interested in spineless smooth talkers. Got it?"\n\n[[I'm just trying to talk to you.]]\n\n[[I'll leave, then.|notdone]]

I look out into the darkness. A tall ship is coming in to dock, its sails billowing in the moonlight.\n\nIt's [[time to go.]] Demali is waiting for me. \n\nI head out.\n

Brandy and I scramble down the hillside to meet the others.\n\n"We can't stay up there," she says to them. "It's some kind of creepy chamber. Whatever it is, we're better off on the caravan. So let's go."\n\n"This is ridiculous!" says Tor, dropping his stone. "There is //no such thing// as ghosts walking the earth!"\n\n"Er, on t'contrary, m'lord," says the driver, "I see't all the time. It's very common. They're a bit o' a pest, really. It's a southern phenomenon. Sort o' like fireflies an' palm trees, but... yeh know... dead-er."\n\n[[Let's stay here with the caravan.|caravan]]

\nI turn my back to the storm and walk into the daylight. The girls walk with me. Their hands join in mine.\n\nThe rain is left behind us. But now we face only a wide, empty, barren field. There is nothing for us here; no mountain to walk towards; only the flat and wide horizon.\n\n\n\n-\n\n\nI am woken by a voice. \n\n\n"[[We're here, ma'am.]]"\n

I slip myself in amongst the pillows. Considering how many there are, a small woman like myself has no problem squeezing in.\n\nBrandy appears a moment later; she looks frustrated. She goes to the desk and examines her hair briefly in the mirror, primping the back with her fingers, then turns away. \n\nBut -- nothing happens. My attempt to eavesdrop seems to be in vain. she merely heads outside to the forest, and I [[sneak after her.|Follow]] I have no other choice.

"Not really," I say, glancing at my fellow players.\n\nThe tender grins. The men do not.\n\n"Madame was left a note by someone at the bar," says the tender. "If madame would be so kind." He slips me the note:\n\nSECOND FLOOR BALCONY. D.\n\n\n[[Go upstairs.]]

"Taryn," I say, motioning behind me. "A moment?"\n\nShe rises with hesitation, following me. I lead her behind the caravan, out into the trees, out beyond the line where we cannot be seen.\n\n"Odd of you to be taking me out here," says Taryn quietly.\n\nI turn to face her. The knife at my wrist feels solid and cold. My mind is clear, sharp. Of course Taryn is Fabula. She always was. She's got plenty of connections. She's the only one smart enough, wise enough out of the four of them to have ever been useful.\n\nThere's a stiff pause. Then she nods.\n\n"I see," she says. "So you've been sent to kill me. I will say that I am not surprised. I will not beg for my life."\n\n"So be it," I say, as I sink my blade into her heart.\n\nI'm surprised at how easy it is, how painless. She falls to the ground face-down with a thud. She makes for a misshapen corpse; the baby in her belly gives me a momentary pang of guilt, but no more.\n\nI cannot go back to the Caravan. My murder will be clear to them. I will head north [[on foot.]]

Taryn smiles gently, sadly.\n\n"I can only be grateful that I have been permitted to live on one more day," she says, and turns. "You will excuse me for my lack of surprise. The world has made me weary."\n\nShe passes by me on her way [[back to the caravan.]]

"I've got three days left," I say, "and that's plenty of time."\n\nAri breathes a little sigh of relief. She takes my fingers in the palm of her hand and begins to wiggle my fingers, as though we were children. Somehow in this context, with a knife in my free hand and her armed to the teeth, it seems... odd. Creepy.\n\n"Demali and I had feared you were getting cold feet," she says. "I've been given -- oh, Naya -- it's horrible. But Demali said it's time for me to go on my final task, too. I don't think--"\n\n"Your final task?" I begin to say, //That's great,// but then -- it occurs to me. Why else would she be here?\n\n"... Ari," I say, "Your final task isn't to... [[kill me if I fail]], is it?"\n\n\n

The boy looks sulky, at best. He's short and lanky, with ruffled white-blonde hair and dark circles under his eyes. He looks at us with a kind of uneasy wariness, like a stray dog.\n\n"What?" he grunts. \n\n"Looks like the last occupant has arrived," says Brandy, "and about as brainless as the rest of you from the looks of him."\n\nBut the boy says nothing. His face is gaunt, his eyes trained on us.\n\n"I'm Aurelius," says the boy at last. "Now leave me alone." \n\nHe heads to his room, all of us watching. \n\nWith that, his [[door slams.]]\n\n<<set $seentaryn = 0>>\n<<set $seenaurelius = 0>>\n<<set $seenbrandy = 0>>

"Guard the doors," I tell the driver, and kneel at Taryn's side.\n\n"Get away from her," Tor snarls. "She's hurt."\n\n"Is it serious?"\n\n"I... I don't know," says Tor. He slowly leans back from his protective stance. He looks absolutely horrified to see the blood. "Is... is this my blood? Whose blood is this?"\n\nI notice that there are several bite marks on Tor's arms; some of the blood is from that. But the rest...\n\nthere are a couple of long claw gashes on Taryn's stomach. Blood seeps out through her clothes and pools on the floor.\n\n"Oh my gods," says Tor. "No... no... Taryn..."\n\n"It's not a deep wound," I say, now that I can see the injuries up close. \n\nTaryn groans. She can't even [[lift her head.]]\n\nThe door rattles. The driver is struggling to keep the doors closed, I can tell. Something else is outside.

"Care to come outside?"\n\nThe man stares at me, then laughs. "Little girl like you?"\n\n"Yes." I maintain my professional cool. This is what I was trained to do, after all. But he wants a fight. He will not let me leave unscathed. He thinks he will have the upper hand; I see that warm glint to his face.\n\nHe stands. \n\n[[Go out]]

"Not usually, no. But here, that was different." She pauses a moment to pick a piece of riverweed out of her hair. \n\n"I owe you my life, Naya. Can't say that often." Brandy glances over at me. "You're stupid for jumping in after me. But -- you know -- thanks."\n\n"Just don't let it happen again."\n\n"Yes," she says sarcastically, "the next time I'm on a barely-afloat vessel in a deathly lightning storm, I'll, you know, I'll be cautious."\n\n[[Okay.]]

The girl freezes and turns around, livid, her eyes wide.\n\n"I. Beg. Your. Pardon?"\n\n[[You heard me.]]\n\n[[What? Oh, nothing.]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 2>>

I slap in.\n\nLuckily, I have that card. I'm first; I beat out the man on my left easily. Two in a row means a win. There's a small, murmuring crowd drawing around us now.\n\n"Thanks, gentlemen."\n\nThe man on my left stands and grumbles, as if ready to protest, but just then the bartender breaks in.\n\n"Would madame like to buy her opponents a round?" says the tender. "Madame is the first woman to play kadenshi and win, in this establishment."\n\n[[Sure.]]\n\n[[These fellows? Not really.]]

"I--"\n\n"You are a fool, apprentice. You are a gods damn fool."\n\nShe throws me to the ground easily. I am lighter and smaller than she is, and I feel something snap. \n\nMy ankle is hurt. Broken, I do not know.\n\n"Let that pain feel fresh," she growls. "Does entry to the guild mean NOTHING to you? I doubt that I have any further use for you," she snarls, "as you would apparently kill an innocent man for no other reason than your own pride. You are an abomination to this guild."\n\nShe stares at me a long time. \n\nHer rage cools slowly. I try to stand, wobbling. My ankle hurts badly.\n\n<<set $ankle = 1>>\n\n[[What did you want, mistress?|What did you want to talk about?]]

\n--\n\n\nIt's early in the morning. As I head out of the inn, I realize that only now can I see the massive chain of [[caravan cars]] about two hundred meters away. There is a long dirt road that winds through the green lush hills, and it's raining lightly. This, I guess, is what most of northern Dona is like. A little too cold for my liking.\n\nTiny white specks dot the hills, moving about. -- Oh, sheep.\n\nA couple of people pass by me, seemingly on their way to the caravan.\n\n

He nods. "I respect my father. He won my own mother's hand in a tournament in Kieralos. She was the daughter of a baron. He told me I ought to never marry outside the bloodline; He told me it would be embarrassing for him. But I... did it anyways, because I... love Taryn, and I... knew this might happen from the start."\n\n"That... seems... hard," says Aurelius, breaking his silence.\n\n"What?"\n\n"Hard to live under. I think it would be. To have a father always telling you how to live, I mean. Isn't that a hard life to live?"\n\n"I love my father, and respect his lineage," says Tor, drawing his hand over his heart.\n\n"Yeah, but that's..." Aurelius trails off. "Well, nevermind."\n\nSuddenly the caravan [[comes to a stop.]]\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike - 10>>

With that, I turn to go. Tor stands, shaking his head in bewilderment and frustration at me, and shuts the door behind me. \n\n[[Wait til dawn.|fall asleep.]]

"Brandy!" I shout. "I need you calm the hell down!"\n\nThe girl is coughing madly. "I can't," I hear her shout weakly. "I can't die."\n\n"We are //not// going to die," I tell her firmly. "Kick off your shoes and help me kick for shore."\n\nTo my surprise, she does. We begin swimming for shore, my arms around her shoulders, keeping the both of us up by treading water beneath myself. \n\n[[Swim.]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 2>>

Brandy drinks her tea for a moment in calm.\n\n"Yes, I'm sure it does seem trivial to you, uncultured as you are," she says. "You couldn't possibly understand what it's like. How beautiful it is to be in the moment -- to be truly successful at entertaining. But it's..."\n\n"What?\n\n"//It's hard//," she snaps at me, setting down her empty teacup. "That's all. Why are you bothering me with this kind of inanity? Don't you have somewhere to be?"\n\nIt's odd. For that one moment I had the feeling she was -- for just a little while -- nice, or at least not hostile towards me. Maybe there's more to her than meets the eye.\n\n"Go," she says, and shoos me towards the door. "Scram."\n\nI get up, leaving my teacup behind.\n\n[[Head outside.|notdone]]

Taryn does nothing; merely stands before me and waits for death.\n\nI try to make it quick. I sink my knife into her heart, then catch her and slit her throat. A quick death; she will suffocate before she need feel her heart beat out.\n\nShe slides to the ground quietly. I leave her body there before the Holy Stone. Tor, Brandy and Aurelius will surely find her there not too soon from now.\n\nWith that, I head [[into the forest.]]\n\n

I quietly push open the door. I can hear nothing inside. Nothing moves within.\n\nWell, at least I haven't disturbed anything. ... Or anyone.\n\nThe inside is very, very dark. As the doors open, though, a few lanterns around the walls glimmer into existence. They're witchlights -- magical balls of light -- and they must've sensed our entrance. \n\nIt's some kind of monastery, or... something.\n\nThe walls appear to be lined with strange markings. At the far end of the chamber is a small altar. Sticks of burned incense lie on top of it, and it's covered in a layer of dust, as though it hasn't been touched in centuries.\n\n[[Well, we can stay here in the worst case scenario.]]\n\n[[We should stick with the caravan.]]

Taryn seems to be unfazed by me telling her to calm down. She merely turns away.\n\n"You are wise, Naya. I'm going for a walk," she says, rising from the log she's sitting on with some difficulty. "Do not follow me."\n\n"Don't go too far--" Tor starts weakly, but Taryn ignores him.\n\nHe puts his head in his hands.\n\n"That could have gone worse," Brandy remarks. But Tor doesn't respond.\n\nNot soon afterwards, the porter comes by with the trappings of [[a meal.]]\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike - 2>>\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 2>>

I go to the desk and pry open the first drawer. \n\nThere's nothing but paper in here, all of it clean. -- Wait --\n\nThere's a little [[diary]] nestled here amongst the bric-a-brac. And a [[photo]], too, tucked away in the corner.

It's hard to say when the noise starts. Maybe it's only been a minute or two since we closed the doors - maybe longer. It's a kind of crumbling noise, like many tiny stones falling away from their piles...\n\n\n"Do you hear--" Brandy starts.\n\n"Y-yes," says Tor, his face white.\n\n"The dead're rising," says the driver. "Don' worry 'bout it. They won' know we're here."\n\nThere's a knocking against the outer doors. \n\n"Oh. Shit," says the driver. "Guess they know we're here."\n\nThe banging gets louder. Then it's a rattling, as though someone had grabbed the handles and were desperately shaking them. Luckily, we've tied the handles with rope.\n\nA dry, bony whisper comes through the crack in the doors. It's the sound of chapped lips moving against each other, a kind of quiet fleshy noise.\n\n"//c-come//," says the voice. "//....here...//"\n\n[[Speak to the voice]]\n\n[[Go out and fight it]]\n\n[[Hide]]\n

Brandy glares. "I //can// be nice, you know. Just not to you. So don't get used to the princess treatment."\n\nShe rubs the back of her head then, wincing as she touches a sore spot. "Sorry about that whole mess. I hadn't known I was so close to the railing. Had I.... been more cautious..."\n\n\n[[You're not the cautious type, are you?]]\n\n[[It happens.]]

She stares at me.\n\n"You have been a reckless, damn fool," she snaps. \n\nThen she hesitates: "But you did not kill him. For that, I respect you. Know that we do not take the life of innocents. Even drunken, belligerent ones. This is our creed, and you have demonstrated... that you understand that much at least."\n\nShe slowly moves over to me.\n\n[[What did you want to talk about?]]\n\n<<set $demali = $demali - 2>>

Back then I lived in piles of rags under a tin roof. I wandered from town to town. I huddled with other street children like rats in a hovel. I stole things sometimes, and I am not proud. But I am without regret -- because I, unlike some of the others with me, survived to tell the story.\n\nI don't regret where I came from. I am only glad that now I have a home among the Lightbringers. -- Rather, I will, soon.\n\nA noise from Ari breaks my reverie.\n\n"[[ashi]]?" she says, curiously.\n\n\n\n\n\n

Each car in the caravan train is enormous - perhaps thirty feet tall, with parcels and goods strapped in piles on top of the roof. \n\nAll of them are bound for different locations, I know. The one I'm on is headed ''south to Calypso.''\n\nEach car looks to be something out of a gypsy fantasy; baubles, glass beads, and bright red paint adorn the outsides, while the insides seem to be empty chambers made for travelers. The cars themselves float roughly five feet above the ground, and a small wooden stairway extends from the ground up to the standing platform which surrounds the car. \n\nI have heard stories of caravans like these. They are not led by horses or beasts -- rather, they float with magic, and are driven from the forefront of the car.\n\n"Hey! Move," says a voice behind me.\n\n[[Snap back.]]\n\n[[Step aside.]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = 0>>\n<<set $aureliuslike = 0>>\n<<set $torlike = 0>>\n<<set $tarynlike = 0>>

"I don't like the idea of you following me," I reiterate.\n\n"You won't even know I'm there, apprentice," Demali sneers. "Don't you get superior with me -- as if I were a half-rate. I shall be as a ghost."\n\nShe pinches my ear. \n\n"You have a certain attitude to you. I don't like the smell of it. And my patience wears exceptionally thin."\n\nWith that, she [[turns to go.]]\n\n<<set $demali = $demali - 1>>

"Yes." Brandy sighs. "You really are ignorant, aren't you. That's sweet. The tea ceremony is a form of entertainment for //chato//. We are skilled in the art of its pouring and its methods of brewing, while keeping men's minds occupied with interesting conversation and poetry. We attend parties and we use our skills to please the guests. We are... hired hands, so to speak. And some //chato// are ridiculously famous. Some of them even marry into the aristocracy, and then... they're set for life."\n\nShe turns her profile to me. "The main birthplace for //chato// is in Calypso. That's where they strike it big. That's why I'm here."\n\n[[So you think you'll become famous?]]\n\n[[That seems like a trivial pursuit.]]

"Who is among them, again?" she asks.\n\n"Well, the obvious. Domecius Signet will be heading the party, and there'll be several minor lords from the Outlandish Islands, and two from baronies just south of Torea. A very important group, Brandy," he adds, nervously.\n\n"I'll find some way to get there," she says, her eyes narrowing. "Somehow."\n\nHe nods, and delves back into the treeline as if he were never there. \n\nWith that, Brandy turns back [[towards the caravans|campfire]].\n\n<<set $brandynames = 1>>

I head out into the woods where Aurelius pointed me.\n\nIt doesn't take long. I see Taryn found one of the Holy Stones that litter the main paths through Dona. They are considered to be places of prayer; sacred items as big as ten men and too heavy to be moved by time.\n\nShe is kneeling before one of the Stones with her hair down and matted by sweat. Her face is worn with a night's tears. She has bags under her eyes, and to be honest, looks to be a mess. Then again, she did //just// lose a child.\n\n[[Speak]]\n\n[[Wait]]

\nI follow Brandy in secret. She trudges along in the brush, loud and unprepared. But my feet are silent, and I stay behind the treeline.\n\nThe sound of approaching footsteps in the brush comes. \n\nIt's a tall, slender man. I peer from behind a tree; he removes his hat and bows to Brandy.\n\n"What news, Tomas?" she asks.\n\n"[[The group]] has requested audience tomorrow night."\n\n"Tomorrow? I can't be there by then."\n\n"They say they [[can't delay]]," says the man. "This may be your only chance."\n\nBrandy swears under her breath.\n\n<<set $tomas = 1>>

I say nothing, only stand behind her.\n\nShe does not know I am there; aloud, she begins to pray.\n\nIt is in a language I do not know; the language of Hahn, no doubt. I don't know to what god she is speaking. But as she prays, she begins to cry, then to beg, and then tiredly, to narrate - as if she were recounting a very long and very elaborate story.\n\nAt last, she notices me behind her, and stops.\n\n"Naya," she says, her voice rough and husky. "Have you been there -- all this time? So then. You know."\n\n[[Yes, I know.|the life]]

Whatever situation Aurelius and Brandy are in, it's out of my hands. There's nothing I can do.\n\nI climb downstairs to the main cabins. The floors are soaked with water, but otherwise there is less harm done downstairs than I would have thought. \n\nI try the knob on Taryn and Tor's room. It's open. Taryn is curled up in the corner of the room on a pile of cushions, a pained look on her face. Tor is pressed over her, his arms over her protectively. Both of them are asleep from fatigue. It looks like they had a hard night. From the looks of things, Taryn and Tor were being tossed around down below by the waves. All the furniture and items are in disarray, fallen over or slid into one of the walls.\n\nI leave them be, closing the door behind me.\n\nSuddenly, there's a noise from above. "Ahoy! Yer alive!"\n\n[[Check it out]]\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 3>>\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 3>>

I hold back. \n\nThe card is taken by the man in front of me. That's his second point in a row.\n\nHe grins a yellow grin and hooks out an arm to take the entire pot. The man on my left looks at me and scowls. 'You had the card,' he says. 'You hadd'un.'\n\nOops.\n\n[[Ask to keep playing.]]

I feel a coldness spread through my belly suddenly. As I look down, I see Demali's knife sliding into my stomach, so thin and sharp -- it is without pain for a moment.\n\nAnd then the pain starts, spiking through my whole body. I fall to my knees, paralyzed, shaking.\n\n"Demali," I whisper.\n\n"Even for you I have no regret, adept," she says, her face resolute. "No one is safe."\n\n\nAs I sink to the ground, the starred sky fills my eyes.\n\n\n -- END --

I run to help the driver with the steering as Aurelius goes to un-jam the rudder. It seems like he's having trouble, though - he's evidently never been at sea before. He doesn't seem to know what he's doing.\n\n"Get yer weight behind it!" the driver calls to me, and I dig my heels in, bracing against the caravan's top deck as I pull as hard as I can.\n\nJust then, the caravan rocks up on a wave and the deck tilts. I hear a scream from behind me. It's Brandy.\n\nI look over my shoulder to see Brandy clinging to the outside of the railing -- only a few feet above the waves.\n\nIf I let go now, the driver might not be able to handle the deck alone. But if I don't help Brandy...\n\n[[Help Brandy]]\n\n[[Call out for someone to help Brandy]]\n\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike - 1>>

"Then you die," says Demali, as if this should be obvious.\n\n"I can't -- try again?"\n\n"Let me ask you something, Naya. Let us pretend this is not a simple mission. Let us say it is a scouting scenario. You are captured. They torture you, near to death. You lose your bowels and your dignity. The Lightbringers are shamed. ... would there be any second chances then?"\n\n"No," I say, wincing. "I guess not."\n\n"The world is cruel. It does not give second chances. And neither do we."\n\n\nWith that, she [[turns to go.]]\n\n<<set $demali = $demali + 1>>

I begin stretching out my wrists and hands, drawing near to the boy.\n\n"You never want to fight up front if you can avoid it," I say to Aurelius. "It's better to be quiet. Swift. To come from above and kill without noise."\n\nI circle around behind him. "Find the high ground. A rooftop, a cliff, a ceiling. Stay quiet, stay hidden. No one ever looks up. Even your enemies. Then, when all is ready--"\n\nI curl my fingers around his throat softly. "The neck and the eyes are the easiest targets," I whisper gently in his ear. "Anywhere soft and vital."\n\nAurelius swallows, and I feel his adam's apple bob, nervousness plain on his face.\n\n"That's enough, Naya," says Tor, equally nervous. "You're frightening the boy. A... and me."\n\nI can tell they're both ''suspicious of me''. Evidently they didn't know I could fight. I may have just given away my cover.\n\n[[All right, then.]]\n\n

I slip inside the Caravan.\n\nWho should I kill?\n\n[[Kill Aurelius.|killaur2]]\n\n[[Kill Brandy.|killbrandy2]]\n\n[[Kill Tor.|killtor2]]\n\n[[Kill Taryn.|killtaryn2]]

"A strong boy, perhaps," says Taryn. "Like my brother."\n\n"Brother?" I venture.\n\n"Yes. He was the last child to die. My mother was... weak of constitution. She lost... three pregnancies, I believe. Two of my siblings died in their youth of the influenza. My sister Mallie drowned when she was ten. My brother..." \n\nTaryn looks off at the passing scenery. "My brother Bran went to travel the world. He always joked that when he got back he hoped I'd be married so he could meet the lucky man. But he was murdered at some tavern up north. After that, my mother gave up on keeping her children alive. I am the only one to survive."\n\nTaryn pauses. "This child is being born into a family cursed by death. I hope it is a boy, too, so that he can weather the pain. Bran laughed even when the world was horrid. I sometimes feel as though the world might break me."\n\n[[The world breaks a lot of people.]]\n\n[[You're stronger than you seem.]]\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 2>>\n\n

I slap the card in the center.\n\nAs I pick it up, though, I realize I've made a rookie error - the card is a skull, and I don't have one in my hand. Technically, this is the point where I'm disqualified.\n\nThe men don't seem to have noticed. The dealer seems to be waiting for me.\n\n[[Keep playing.]]\n\n[[Turn in my hand.]]

I sneak back to my room and silently shut the door behind me. \n\nMy own cabin has nothing but my single spare trunk in the corner. It contains some clothing for the next week; the clothing doesn't even fill the trunk. But Demali told me to take a trunk anyways. She told me it would make me look more 'normal.' Whatever that means.\n\nI climb into bed. Time to get [[some sleep.]]

I slip the diary into my back pocket. It's small, and fits snugly. \n\nI turn back to the room, but as I glance around, I notice the sound of footsteps approaching. Should I [[run for it]] or just [[hide myself]]?

We both straighten up, turning to look at the speaker. The voice belongs to a very [[tall blond man]], in his late thirties perhaps; he gives me a brief glance-over and then looks to the girl next to me. His face marks him as a descendant of some noble house; he has the look about him.\n\nNext to him stands a smaller, [[paler woman]], very much pregnant, with cropped red hair and a warm smile. \n

Not just in this room, but... up here, up north. I guess I'd stopped getting used to traveling once I settled down in Madnea with the Lightbringers. I haven't felt cold in a very long time.\n\nI think to myself, just for a moment, that I am afraid. [[Afraid to kill]], or... afraid to [[become a Lightbringer?]] Or... is it [[just nerves|afraid of something else?]]?

Demali smiles. "No questions?"\n\n"I am unafraid," I say simply. "I accept what has been given to me."\n\n"Good lass. You've a strong head about you."\n\nWith that, Demali [[turns to go.]]\n\n<<set $demali = $demali + 2>>

"Those who oppose the new government."\n\n"Who are?"\n\n"It is not of your concern. Lightbringers do not ask questions. We spend that breath on our work. Needless to say, those who [[lost the war|lost the war.]] are less than pleased."\n\n

I watch Brandy scale the hillside as I help Tor and Aurelius lift small boulders out of the way. I'm significantly smaller than all of them, and I'm not the strongest... so I'm not certain that my work is of any help.\n\nWhile we're clearing the way more quickly, it seems as though -- as the sun begins to set -- we haven't cleared away enough for the caravan to rise over the pile.\n\nBrandy approaches, having climbed down the hillside once more.\n\n"There's a stone room built into the hillside," she says, pointing. "See that door up there?"\n\nAnd we do. It's small but definitely there. "We can go in there," Brandy says. "We can stay the night."\n\n"This is ridiculous!" says Tor, dropping his stone. "There is //no such thing// as ghosts walking the earth!"\n\n"Er, on t'contrary, m'lord," says the driver, "I see't all the time. It's very common. They're a bit o' a pest, really. It's a southern phenomenon. Sort o' like fireflies an' palm trees, but... yeh know... dead-er."\n\n[[Let's hide in the chamber, then.|monastery]]\n\n[[Let's stay here with the caravan.|caravan]]\n\n<<set $didntseemonastery = 1>>\n

He stiffens and looks at me haggardly, as though only truly seeing me for the first time. My brusque tone makes him straighten up.\n\n"I'm not scared," he says, settling his hands on his knees. His knuckles are white from where they've been clenched too tightly.\n\n"Good," I say.\n\n"I'm not."\n\n"I believe it, kid."\n\nTaryn does a strange thing, then. She loops an arm around Aurelius and brings him close into an embrace, as though he were a small child. \n\nHe struggles as though to get away from her, and then -- surprisingly -- is still. He rests his head on her shoulder and she touches his hair very lightly in a motherly way.\n\nAurelius begins to silently cry. The boy is shaking. I get the feeling that this has been a long time coming, that whatever is now causing him to cry is not just the stress of our recent journey -- but ''something else, too'', something [[long buried.]]\n

"I did not mean to be rude," says the driver, all apologies.\n\nBrandy huffs. "You overstep yourself. Yes, I am a chato. I will join the circuit someday. Yes, that is my profession. Are you happy now? Think what you want."\n\nShe stalks off for the [[campfire]] without another word. \n\nHuh. A chato? What's that about?\n\n<<set $brandychato = 1>>

"Sister," I repeat quietly.\n\n"Yes." She smiles at me and takes my hand in hers. "We'll be sister Lightbringers then. I'll have to call you //ashi//. Won't that be funny? But you know, I'm looking forward to it."\n\nShe's actually looking forward to my initiation?...\n\nI grew up without a home, a child of the slums. The last time I can remember someone being excited to see me was a man to whom I owed a debt - I paid him in scraps of bread and stolen beads.\n\nBut I was [[very young]] then.

"You know me, Ari," I say. "You know I'll be safe."\n\nShe sighs with relief. "I know, but it's just -- sometimes -- you are -- you can be -- I worry."\n\nI smirk. "Well, don't," I tell her.\n\n"I know."\n\nShe tightens her arms around me, and I raise my arms to embrace her in return.\n\n"Be well, //ashi//," she murmurs.\n\nThen she leaves, and I [[am alone.]]

"What's that uniform?" I ask, trying to make conversation. "Did you come from one of the northern schools?"\n\nHe immediately freezes. His face goes blank.\n\n"Get out," he says in a low voice. "Don't fuckin' talk to me."\n\nHe starts to push me through the door. I feel like I've failed. What is it about the uniform that makes him so angry?\n\n[[Do NOT push me.]]\n\n[[Wait! I didn't mean to upset you.]]\n\n[[Leave.|Leave2]]

"Yeah," Brandy agrees. "This seems... intimidating. What else is in here, anyhow?"\n\nWe look around the chamber. It seems to have no exiting passages or anything - just this singular central chamber, covered with an old, dusty, ornate golden rug and several piles of what appear to be offerings for the dead -- traditional gifts of ivory and jade. Perhaps once there were monks who presided over the dead here, long ago, but nothing has moved in this chamber for many many years.\n\nAt last we leave.\n\n"What are we preparing for?" I ask. \n\n"I don't know. All I know is I want to be ready," says Brandy. \n\nWe walk outside; the sun is almost set over the hills. By the fading red light we see Tor, Aurelius, the driver and porter all moving rocks down below. They've made a small dent in the blockage, but it's.... nowhere near enough for the caravan to go over.\n\nWe're not going to make it.\n\n"[[Let's get inside the caravan]]," Brandy says.\n\n

I reach out and swiftly take up the card before either man reacts. I know that my reflexes are faster, my instinct sharper; but this is a game largely of luck and chance.\n\nThe score is one to me, now.\n\nA third draw: a spade.\n\n[[Slap in!]]\n\n[[Don't!]]

"I didn't mean to waste your time," I say, shrugging.\n\nThe girl peers at me. I can't tell if she's examining me for something specific or just trying to figure out what sort of person I am.\n\nJust then, we're interrupted by [[a voice.]]\n\n"Good morning, ladies."\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 4>>

The bottle reads MARDEO.\n\nLuckily, this is a name familiar to me. It's from the southern lands; a wine traditionally reserved for romance. It is not a wine for family, or for meals -- it is meant for seduction, for wooing.\n\nInteresting.\n\nI turn back to the room, but as I glance around, I notice the sound of footsteps approaching. Should I [[run for it]] or just [[hide myself]]?\n\n<<set $brandywine = 1>>

One of the gruff-looking men deals me a hand begrudgingly: star, spade, circle. I check the cards and then flip them face down.\n\nHe pulls the first card. A skull.\n\n[[Slap in]]\n\n[[Don't]]

"Wasn't there some scandal with a disowning in the court, or something?"\n\nTor's face goes clean white as though he'd seen death.\n\n"Yes," he says tightly. "Yes, there was."\n\nHe looks to be at a complete loss for how to go on.\n\nA door slams behind us then; we all turn to see [[a boy]] of maybe sixteen years, his traveling case slung over his shoulder.\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike - 4>>

I tug the photo out of the pile and unfold it.\n\nIt's a small photo of Brandy. -- Well, four Brandys. -- Wait.\n\nNo, not quite; they must be sisters. At first I can't tell which one is Brandy; but then I find her, the youngest one, her moon-yellow eyes haunting and somehow sad. The three older sisters have their arms about one another, and seem to be... happier. Prouder. Their smiles are more catlike, self-satisfied. Their body language says that the three of them are very close, and Brandy is cast off to the side.\n\nSo she has siblings. Interesting.\n\nI turn back to the room, but as I glance around, I notice the sound of footsteps approaching. Should I [[run for it]] or just [[hide myself]]?\n\n<<set $brandysisters = 1>>\n\n<<set $brandyphoto = 1>>

I reel back and punch the thing square in its dessicated jaw. I feel leathery, mummified flesh oozing into the spaces between my fingers, and the head knocks back -- but comes right back. It seems to be totally unaffected by me.\n\nThe creature knocks me aside easily and shuffles past me into the room. I come at it from behind, but this time the creature latches onto my fist and sinks its shattered teeth into my knuckles.\n\nOw. I yank my hand back in pain.\n\nSeveral more creatures are climbing into the room now, similar to the first, these ones still wearing ancient battle armor. I turn to face them but another one grabs me from behind and tosses me into the wall as though I were a rag doll.\n\nThere's screaming. It's Taryn. I can't see anything.\n\n"Taryn!" Tor shouts over the noise. \n\nThen there's a [[bright flash of light.]]

"You are not close?" says the driver, latticing his fingers together in a web. "With your sisters?"\n\n"No," says Brandy curtly. "No, I'm not. Our profession.. does not allow it. Are you quite finished?"\n\nThe driver nods his head - "Merely meant to make conversation, miss."\n\nWith that, Brandy turns on a heel and heads for the [[campfire]], looking unmistakeably miffed.

I sneak back to my room and silently shut the door behind me. \n\nThunder rumbles, loud and close. For a moment lightning peals across the windows, and then there's another crack of thunder. The rain grows harder, and I can hear it pattering against the upper deck of the caravan, reserved largely for carrying cargo.\n\nMy own cabin has nothing but my single spare trunk in the corner. It contains some clothing for the next week; the clothing doesn't even fill the trunk. But Demali told me to take a trunk anyways. She told me it would make me look more 'normal.' Whatever that means.\n\nI climb into bed. Time to get [[some sleep.]]\n\n<<set $rested = 1>>

As I follow her, her appearance melts away. We walk out into the night. Her dress of splendid red fades away into a sordid black affair and a no-nonsense braid bound down her back. \n\nThis is my mistress, and I her pupil.\n\n"It's been a while, Naya," she says lightly as she turns to me in the darkness.\n\n[[What did you want to talk about?]]\n\n

I sit down without a word. I watch the game for a few minutes, learn the manner of its playing.\n\nIt seems like a simple thing. One man flips the deck. Each card reveals a new symbol. It seems that if a <b>player has that symbol in his hand,</b> he reaches for the center symbol - here reflexes come in - and the quickest man wins the point. Two in a row wins the hand.\n\nThe only problem: the player's hand is <b>face down.</b> Seems I need to memorize my hand before I play.\n\nI witness one man slap in for a symbol he <b>doesn't have.</b> The other men call him on it; he ditches his hand and leaves the table, forfeiting his bet. That must be a disqualification.\n\nAn interesting game. There's currently a large amount of gold in the pot.\n\nI like games.\n\nI'll [[deal in]].\n\n

I glance around the room. It's pretty spare right now, with plain wooden floors and a single round window that looks out on the misty forests. Only dim sunlight illuminates the walls and floor. She hasn't started moving her things in yet - not much to see here.\n\nThe girl glances over at me, not really sure why I'm looking around her room.\n\n"You can leave now," she says, matter-of-factly. \n\n"Ladies!" says [[a voice|a voice.]] from behind me. \n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 1>>

\n"Don't touch anything," Brandy snaps at me. "And don't think I'm not watching, either."\n\nThis room is a little less spacious than mine, a little less nice. Her things haven't yet been set up -- several trunks are piled against the wall. That's quite a lot of stuff for one week's travel. \n\nOnly the vanity in the corner is set up for now: covered in a lavish cloth, the top is laden with all kinds of cosmetics in tiny vials and jars. A silver hair brush lies next to a golden hand mirror. \n\nThe room smells heady with the sweet scent of tea being brewed. As I enter the room fully, the teapot begins to sing. Brandy seems to draw a porcelain cup from nowhere; it is elegantly painted, lacking a handle, small and delicate. She fills it and hands it to me, procuring a second cup of tea for herself.\n\n"Do you take yours with cream and sugar?"\n\n"Yes, usually," I say.\n\n"Well, that's unfortunate for you. This is nice tea. [[Drink it]] the real way."\n

NOT YET WRITTEN: You return to Madnea with Ari. Your new home is with the Lightbringers. A new recruit is welcomed into the order one day -- young, and about the same age you were when you first joined the Lightbringers. How do you treat her?\n\n-- DECENT END --

I move over to the warm hearth. It is easily twice my size in height, roaring with a crackling flame. Men and women are gathered around it, listening to a merry tune provided by a small man with a set of panpipes.\n\nThere is a twinge of something -- a sense that something is near. It must be Demali. But who?\n\nI glance behind me. There are two men, [[one in all black]] with his cowl raised, and [[the other]] in a deep forest green, his face old and wizened. A [[woman]] also sits aside the fire. \n\n

I oblige the voice. It belongs to a slender young woman in her mid twenties, perhaps a little older than me. She is very, very beautiful, with tanned skin, long dark hair and catlike yellow eyes. Her face is painted prettily, like a doll's. \n\nShe is wearing flowing silks in jade and red which hug her curvy body, though the beauty of her outfit is somewhat diminished by the enormously oversized bag she's dragging behind her.\n\nShe huffs. "Don't stare. I'm trying to get my bag on the caravan. A woman of my stature requires a lot of upkeep."\n\n[[What's in there?]]\n\n[[Help her]]\n\n[[Upkeep? I'll bet.|Retort]]\n\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 1>>\n

"I like to play a little dangerous," I tell Ari.\n\nHer eyes go round, her expression upset.\n\n"You'll be //killed//, Naya," she says, very slowly. "You've nearly gotten yourself murdered in the past. If you don't come back, what are the rest of us to do? Don't you know how much we'll miss you? How can you be so hasty?" \n\nShe tightens her arms around me, and I raise my arms to embrace her in return.\n\n"Be at peace, //ashi//," she murmurs.\n\nThen she leaves, and I [[am alone.]]\n\n

\n\n\nThe carriage is waiting for me that night. We -- that is, the driver and I -- head northeast, towards Eronton.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n-\n\n\n\n\n\nI wake briefly. All I see are hills and forests. The dawn is just now breaking and there is a deep quiet around the carriage. I watch the land go by for a moment in silence before drifting back off to sleep.\n\n\n-\n\n\n\nI dream of Ari and the other adepts. We are standing in a very flat field. They are looking at me with eagerness. I am naked, and it is very, very cold.\n\nOff in the distance is a looming stormcloud, thunder brewing on the horizon. The storm is sweeping towards me. There is a path towards the mountain, but the way is rocky and sharp.\n\nThe girls look up at me. I look back.\n\nDo I go [[away]] from the storm, or [[into]] it?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

"I'm... I'm excited you came to see me," I say hesitantly, honestly.\n\nI grew up without a home, a child of the slums. The last time I can remember someone being excited to see me was a man to whom I owed a debt - I paid him in scraps of bread and stolen beads.\n\nBut I was [[very young]] then.

"Oh," says Tor, and he seems to notice his wife's presence for the first time. "Of course! Of course. Taryn?"\n\n"I wasn't going to say much, really," she says embarrassedly. "Just that Hahn is a very nice place. It's got lots of forests. I grew up there, when I was a little girl."\n\n"Well, I could've //told them// that, dearheart," Tor says, patting her shoulder in a disaffected way. But Taryn gives me a pleased look.\n\nA door slams behind us then; we all turn to see [[a boy]] of maybe sixteen years, his traveling case slung over his shoulder.\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 3>>\n<<set $torlike = $torlike - 3>>

"Tor, it's all right," I say. "You needn't worry."\n\nTor folds his arms and turns his head downwards. "No," he says, "the boy's right. I'm useless, aren't I? I've never been in a real fight. Can't even hold my own against my father in the ring. Gods know I've tried." \n\nHis voice is shaky. "I just though -- when you asked, Aurelius -- maybe I'd be able to know more for once. That's all."\n\n[[Comfort him]]\n\n[[Against your father?]]\n\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 2>>\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike + 1>>

\n\nAri straightens, smiling, and gets to her feet.\n\n"Finish the job," she says, and touches my cheek. "Demali asked me to give you three more days. One small task for an eternity of happiness, Naya. Think about that."\n\n"Light guide you," she says, in parting.\n\nShe leaves [[as silently as she came.]]

"Yes," he says, and I see him stand up a little straighter. The man seems pretty proud of his title. "I'm quite well-known in the area, and I'd like to come to know you both as well. Since, as I expect, we'll be in close quarters for the next couple of weeks."\n\nAt the same time, Taryn seems to shrink away a little. She looks less than enthused to hear her husband go on.\n\n"Don't expect us to get too friendly," Brandy says with a dismissive tone.\n\nA door slams behind us then; we all turn to see [[a boy]] of maybe sixteen years, his traveling case slung over his shoulder.\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 2>>\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 3 >>

Taryn smiles.\n\n"Have you ever heard of a ''Fabula'', Naya?" \n\nI freeze. But she seems to not notice.\n\n"It is a story of the dead. It is a tradition only kept by the older families in Hahn. My family is one. When a loved one dies, you tell the Gods their story -- the story of their life, the good and the evil. All my life the ones I loved have been dying. And all my life I have been telling the Gods their //Fabulas//. Often alone, often on my own. It is a word very few people know about. To me, it is my life."\n\n[[So you are the code breaker Fabula.]]\n\n[[Say nothing.]]

Brandy shrugs nonchalantly. "Why are any of us here? Because we can't afford private cabins."\n\n"That's not what I meant."\n\n"What kind of a question is that?" Brandy says, brushing me off. "Come on. I've got a pot of tea on inside."\n\nI [[follow her.|Go in2]]

"Yeah. She's just in shock." Aurelius falls silent then. "She was really scared. She can't swim."\n\n[[We're almost there.|Okay.]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 2>>\n\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike - 2>>

Taryn nods with a smile on her face. She leans back against the back of the couch, her swollen belly resting in her lap.\n\n"Fair, of course. You're just like my husband. He doesn't smoke, either."\n\n[[It seems like he doesn't treat you well.]]\n\n[[A wise man.]]

The next few hours are impossibly busy. Brandy keeps me on my toes getting cool rags to place against Taryn's forehead to help keep her fever down. \n\nMeanwhile, she says things to Taryn -- quiet things, encouraging things -- in a way that I didn't know Brandy was capable of. \n\nAt some point Taryn falls asleep out of exhaustion, still in the tub. Tor is asleep next to her, holding her hand throughout all of it, but unable to help in any way. \n\nI don't remember when I [[fall asleep.]]\n\n

"You may keep the letter," says Demali. "And you must complete this mission before the Caravan lands at its final destination."\n\n"Which is?"\n\n"Calypso."\n\nI've heard of the Southern city many a time. It's supposed to be warm -- tropical -- a wild place, an untamed place. I've never been. I've never wanted to.\n\n"You have approximately two weeks," says Demali. "I'll be watching you along the way."\n\n[[I'd prefer to be independent.]]\n\n[[What if I fail?]]\n\n[[All right then.]]\n

As I head for the campfire, I silently think over what I've learned--\n\n<<if $brandynames eq 1>>\n- Brandy is to meet with a group of noblemen led by Domecius Signet tomorrow night.\n<<endif>>\n\n<<if $tomas eq 1>>\n- Brandy knows a man named Tomas.\n<<endif>>\n\n<<if $brandygoing eq 1>>\n- Brandy has just come from Springshire. She's headed to Enso, then to Calypso.\n<<endif>>\n\n<<if $brandychato eq 1>>\n- Brandy is something called a 'chato'. I don't know what that is yet.\n<<endif>>\n\n<<if $brandyfurniture eq 1>>\n- Brandy appears to enjoy lavish furniture and objects.\n<<endif>>\n\n<<if $brandysisters eq 1>>\n- Brandy has sisters. She doesn't appear to like them much.\n<<endif>>\n\n<<if $ensoplace eq 1>>\n- Enso is not a nice city. Brandy's headed through there anyways.\n<<endif>>\n\n<<if $brandywine eq 1>>\n- Brandy is keeping a bottle of lovers' wine in her room, presumably for purposes of seduction. But why?\n<<endif>>\n\n<<if $brandypoison eq 1>>\n- Brandy is keeping a poisoned wine glass in her chambers. For whom, I don't know.\n<<endif>>\n\n<<if $brandyperception eq 1>>\n- Brandy's perception is exceptionally good. She heard me coming out of her cabin, though she ought not to have.\n<<endif>>\n\n<<if $brandycontact eq 1>>\n- Brandy is waiting for an unnamed contact to meet her.\n<<endif>>\n\n[[All right, then.|Pitch camp!]]

The man notices me looking at him and beams regally. He is resplendent in blue and silver, a real vision of a nobleman's son. I can't guess where he's from, but if I had to say, probably one of those western baronies over the mountains. He must be a long way from home.\n\n"Looks like we won't be the only ones on this caravan!" he says, his voice louder than most. "I'm [[Toreth of Hahn,]] and this is [[my wife, Taryn.]]"\n\nThe wife in question furrows her brows. "Wife, Tor? Really?"\n\nHe goes on. "Please, call me Tor. And you are..."\n\n"Naya," I say. The Lightbringers do not give false names.\n\n"Brandy," says the less-than-pleasant girl next to me. \n\nTaryn, the wife, just gives us a gentle smile and says nothing.\n\n\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike - 1>>\n<<set $torlike = $torlike + 2>>

I press my ear to the door. To my surprise, I can hear both Brandy and Aurelius speaking within.\n\n"... going to get yourself killed quickly if you don't keep that under hat."\n\n"It was an accident." Aurelius sounds meek.\n\n"Accidents are rarely pardoned in this world, kid."\n\n"Will you tell me what to do? To stay safe?"\n\n"Me?" Brandy seems surprised. "I don't know. I've never been in that situation. But what I //do// know is that you can't tell anyone. You shouldn't have told me. Don't tell anyone when you get to Calypso."\n\n"O...okay."\n\nIt's weird to hear the boy sound so scared. He was so cocksure only a couple hours ago. What's got him so terrified?\n\nCould Aurelius be [[Fabula's real identity?]]\n\n\n\n

"I think we should go to the Valley of Soldiers," I say.\n\n"It's... it's far," Aurelius points out. "It's a long walk to get there."\n\n"Even so," I affirm, "it's a better option. I'd rather take my chances with ghost stories than with that forest. And we'll be passing through in the daytime."\n\nThe driver nods; we begin heading for the caravan, which is once more drifting above the ground, waiting for us.\n\n[[Travel.]]

"Aurelius!" I cry. "Help Brandy!" I dig in my heels as hard as I can, gritting my teeth.\n\nThere's a scream, and then a splash. I look back just in time to see Aurelius diving over the side of the railing, into the dark waters below. Hopefully at least one of them can swim.\n\n"Man the rudder!" says the captain. "[[Go, go!]]"\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 2>>\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike + 3>>

Tor looks morose. "You are a better fighter than I," he admits to me glumly. "As good as my father."\n\n"Your father?"\n\n"My father won dozens of tournaments when he was my age. He won my mother's hand at such a tournament. She was the daughter of a baron in Kieralos, to the south."\n\n"That... seems... hard," says Aurelius, breaking his silence.\n\n"What?"\n\n"Hard to live under. I think it would be. To have someone who's always better than you, always in front of you, I mean. Isn't that a hard life to live?"\n\n"I love my father, and respect his abilities," says Tor, drawing his hand over his heart.\n\n"Yeah, but that's..." Aurelius trails off. "Well, nevermind."\n\nSuddenly the caravan [[comes to a stop.]]\n\n

The driver begins to set up stew in a pot hanging over a rudimentary fire pit. As the porter brings over kindling, the driver murmurs a simple syllable and the pile bursts into glowing flame before my eyes.\n\nMagic. I know it exists - I know it's used - but I've seen it so rarely that it still astounds me with its beauty.\n\nEveryone seems to be occupied with warming themselves before the fire. Now would be the perfect opportunity to [[take my victim]]. I already have some suspicions as to who it might be. If I kill now, Demali will no doubt be pleased with my swiftness. \n\nOr, I could sit here and [[chat]]. I've got a whole week left; why hurry?\n\n

"I'm hardly the obnoxious one here," I retort.\n\nThe girl narrows her eyes. "Oh, very clever. Turning my insult around on me. We've got a real sharp one." She begins to drag her bag to the caravan with a large amount of difficulty.\n\n[[What're you keeping in there? All your hag makeup?]]\n\n[[Do nothing]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 3>>

I find Aurelius in his room. The door, surprisingly, is not locked. He looks up as I enter. "Hey--" he starts, then sees the knife in my hand and scrambles back against the wall.\n\nI slit his throat silently, without hesitation. He does not so much as scream; he crumples to the floor in a pile of blood, so red as to almost be black.\n\nI'm surprised at how easy it was. Now he is dead. Now my mission surely is complete.\n\nI cannot go back to the Caravan. My murder will be clear to them. I will head north [[on foot.]]

Why does she call me that before my initiation?\n\n//Ashi//. A simple word. But filled with meaning to the Lightbringers.\n\n//Ashi// is the name given to the adepts who have completed their initiation and have become full sisters of the Lightbringers. The //ashi// are sisters in blood, tears, joy and sorrow. They are bonded for eternity. \n\nThey will visit each others' weddings, oversee the births of their sisters' children, sing and drink and cry and laugh together. In many ways //ashi// is a word of power. It means eternity. It means to be loved -- to belong. Though the Lightbringers spread their members wide across the earth, some as killers, others as trained members of society, the word //ashi// is a home in itself.\n\nFor someone like me, who has never belonged, it's a funny concept.\n\nAri presses on. "Don't you have to [[go soon]]?" she says.

"Thanks anyhow," I say, and shut the door behind me. Taryn looks slightly disappointed, but -- I was there to see Tor anyways, so what do I mind?\n\nI should go see [[someone else|notdone]] while I've got time.\n\n<<set $seentaryn = 1>>

Brandy looks at me, wide-eyed, and then sniffs.\n\n"Well, good. //Someone// doesn't think I'm insane. I'm going towards that--" she points at a small edifice sticking out of the valley wall -- "because it looks like it might be a building."\n\nWe continue to climb over rocks until the going gets steep. We struggle the last ten feet or so and manage to reach the edifice. Brandy's right; it's the front of what appears to be a stone monastery-like structure. A heavy iron door hides the interior from view.\n\n[[Kick it down.]]\n\n[[Use stealth.]]\n\n<<set $didntseemonastery = 0>>

"Lucky? Really?"\n\n"Well, it's not every day you get such an exciting final task, Naya. A killing is exciting -- inspiring -- first blood and all that," she says, her voice trailing off shyly -- "And you'll get to be on the road," she finishes. "...But you travel often, don't you?"\n\n\nI grew up without a home, a child of the slums. I traveled often from place to place, wherever I could find food and a little spare room in a basement somewhere. \n\nBut I was [[very young]] then.\n\n\n\n

"Yes," I say, and shift my weight. But Ari pulls me into an embrace before I can stand.\n\n"Come back to us safely," she says. "You'll be cautious, won't you?"\n\nThere's genuine concern in her eyes. She slips her hand into mine.\n\n[[Of course. I'll be safe.]]\n\n[[I'll try, but...]]\n\n[[I plan to stick to the edge.]]\n\n

I begin to walk towards the storm. The girls do not follow me. It is as though they are afraid. Ari's eyes are haunted, but her lips do not move.\n\nRain pours over me. The darkness wraps me in itself. I feel the wind running through my body. It is harsh, and cold, but it is cold in a pure way, a way that cleanses me.\n\n-\n\n\nI am woken by a voice. \n\n"[[We're here, ma'am.]]"\n

"That's the most important thing you took away?" Demali honestly looks a little insulted. "Good gods. At this rate, adept, I'll be surprised if you survive a week.\n\n"The writer is unknown. What we do know, however, is that Fabula was a well-known codebreaker during the war. We've got proof from several sources confirming that Fabula will be heading down to Calypso to sell all of his or her information upon arrival. The two-thousand denarii is payment for that information."\n\nShe nods to me. "I might add that this information is highly sensitive - it concerns [[secrets of certain matters]] in the Donan government that would be.... particularly disastrous if they fell into the [[wrong hands.]]"\n\n<<set $demali = $demali - 2>>

We both lift up Brandy with one arm under each of hers. Together we begin walking back to the caravan, some distance away. Brandy slips into unconsciousness again, her feet dragging in the sand.\n\nI notice that Brandy has mild burn marks on her arms. The cloth near her shoulders is charred, too.\n\n"What happened?" I ask.\n\n"Dove in. Kept both of us afloat, somehow." He seems to hesitate. "Don't know how." I can tell it's a lie.\n\n"Look," he goes on, "I owe you one for finding us. I don't think I could have brought her back to the caravan myself."\n\n[[Are you okay?]]\n\n[[Is Brandy okay?]]

Why not? I offer up the pot. The tender takes the gold and leaves, to later appear with several mugs. There's a hum of good cheer in the air. People appreciate the gesture, apparently.\n\nI see someone looking at me through the crowd, unmoving. \n\nDemali?\n\nI look closer; the figure vanishes.\n\n"Madame was left a note by someone at the bar," says the tender when he returns. "If madame would be so kind as to take it." I grab the note:\n\nSECOND FLOOR BALCONY. D.\n\n[[Go upstairs.]]

"We might still be able to save--"\n\n"No." Brandy cuts me off sharply. "Don't you say that. You don't know anything. The child is already gone. Do you want her to die, too?"\n\n"I couldn't..."\n\n"[[Get OVER there!|Yes, Brandy.]]" Brandy shouts. "Now!"\n

I head across the hall and knock on Tor and Taryn's door. A moment later Taryn opens it. She gives me an initial odd look, but then smiles wide. She is not yet thirty; older than me, clearly, but perhaps only in her late twenties at best.\n\n"Come in," she says gently.\n\nHer hair is down now. It curls just underneath her chin, the color of rust. She closes the door behind me and heaves herself onto a small couch near to the double-bed in the corner. \n\n"Agh. It's hard to sit long with the [[baby kicking,]]" she says. "You're here to see [[Tor, I presume?|Tor, I guess?]]"\n\n<<set $seentaryn = 1>>

"Really," I promise, "it's all right."\n\nTaryn's shoulders relax, and she folds her arms over her stomach. The //bhaghdan// container in front of us emits little wisps of smoke, but otherwise the room is quiet a moment.\n\n"I've kept you here overlong, haven't I? I'm sorry. Why don't I ask you to return later? We'll talk more then."\n\nShe smiles.\n\n[[I'll take my leave, then.]]

He stiffens and stares at me, as though only truly seeing me for the first time.\n\n"I'm not scared," he says, settling his hands on his knees. His knuckles are white from where they've been clenched too tightly.\n\n"I know." I smile.\n\n"I'm not."\n\n"I believe it."\n\nTaryn does a strange thing, then. She loops an arm around Aurelius and brings him close into an embrace, as though he were a small child. \n\nHe struggles as though to get away from her, and then -- surprisingly -- is still. He rests his head on her shoulder and she touches his hair very lightly in a motherly way.\n\nAurelius begins to silently cry. The boy is shaking. I get the feeling that this has been a long time coming, that whatever is now causing him to cry is not just the stress of our recent journey -- but ''something else, too'', something [[long buried.]]\n\n

I slide forward. The knife goes into his chest as easily and silently as air. Straight into his heart. He cannot cry out.\n\nRed, warm blood runs over my hands. I grin. I begin to drag him into the shadows, where I will leave him; he will not be found until tomorrow.\n\n"What are you doing, Naya?" Demali snaps in my ear, very close.\n\n[[Demali!]]\n\n<<set $demali = $demali - 3>>

\nTen minutes later we're out of the valley, and I couldn't be more thrilled.\n\nTaryn is bleeding more heavily, now. Tor lifts his wife and begins to carry her into their bedroom; Brandy gets up as though to follow them in. \n\nIn the corner, Aurelius lies curled against the wall, his eyes glazed over and unseeing. The porter is looking at him too, but he is silent, staying out of our way.\n\nWhat the hell do I do now?\n\n[[Go to Aurelius|Go help Aurelius]]\n\n[[Go to Taryn|Go help Taryn]]

"A strong girl, perhaps," says Taryn. "Like my mother."\n\n"Mother?" I venture.\n\n"Yes. My mother was... weak of constitution. She lost... three pregnancies, I believe. Two of my siblings died in their youth of the influenza. My sister Mallie drowned when she was ten. My brother..." \n\nTaryn looks off at the passing scenery. "My brother Bran went to travel the world. He always joked that when he got back he hoped I'd be married so he could meet the lucky man. But he was murdered at some tavern up north. After that, my mother gave up on keeping her children alive. I am the only one to survive."\n\nTaryn pauses. "This child is being born into a family cursed by death. My mother endured more pain than any human can ever bear. To lose a child -- to lose so many children -- it is as though the world were trying to break her all her life. I am not that strong. And so I want a girl -- a little girl -- to keep me company when I will soon be alone in the world."\n\n[[The world breaks a lot of people.]]\n\n[[You're stronger than you seem.]]\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 5>>\n

"Why Calypso?"\n\nBrandy suddenly tenses up and glares at the man.\n\n"Don't you know better than to ask prying questions? How abhorrent," she says flatly, and turns. "Find some other passenger to interrogate."\n\nThe driver looks a little taken aback, but watches her go. Brandy heads over to the [[campfire]].\n\n\n

The girl narrows her eyes at me.\n\n"I hate people like you. People who think they're sharper than I am. I might be a bitch, but you're a coward, and that's worse."\n\n"Now, now, there," says [[a voice.]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 4>>

The night is stormy. I find it hard to sleep.\n\nAt some point we are no longer drifting, and I feel the caravan tossing gently in the water. I hear the splash of water on its sides, and it is terrifying to know that we are in a wooden edifice floating on the open river waves.\n\nThe [[alarm rings]] from upstairs.

He stiffens and stares at me, as though only truly seeing me for the first time.\n\n"You'll be all right," I say comfortingly.\n\nHe looks at the spot where I touched him as though he had not felt another human touch in a very long time. It's as though I am a strange, foreign creature.\n\nTaryn does a strange thing, then. She loops an arm around Aurelius and brings him close into an embrace, as though he were a small child. \n\nHe struggles as though to get away from her, and then -- surprisingly -- is still. He rests his head on her shoulder and she touches his hair very lightly in a motherly way.\n\nAurelius begins to silently cry. The boy is shaking. I get the feeling that this has been a long time coming, that whatever is now causing him to cry is not just the stress of our recent journey -- but ''something else, too'', something [[long buried.]]\n

I open and read the letter:\n\n//Fabula,\n\nWe have appropriately booked a cabin for you on Caravan Four, leaving from Eronton this coming week the 14th. Mind that you are cautious about how you present yourself. Though we have faith in your ability to remain calm, we can offer no protection if you are discovered.\n\nThe agreed upon amount was two thousand denarii, and as you are -- and have been -- good of your word, I see no reason why we ought to doubt that now.\n\nPlease bring all the transcripts you have with you at this time. We may ask you to make more if there are pieces of the cipher missing. \n\nWe look forward to doing business with you.\n\nCordrey//\n\nOnce I'm done, the letter is folded away into my inventory.\n\nI look up.\n\n"What do you make of it, Naya?" says Demali. \n\n[[Two thousand denarii is a lot.]]\n\n[[Transcripts?]]\n\n[[Fabula?]]\n

"What the hell //are// you?" I ask.\n\n"Something bad," says the boy. "My parents are scared. They put me in that school in the mountains and said it was for my own good. All a fuckin' lie. They said that was my new home. Also a fuckin' lie. Guys from parliament gave me stuff to do -- bad stuff -- told the academy they'd better stay quiet and make me do it, told me I didn't have a choice if I wanted to live."\n\nHe begins to explain further, but we're cut off by the sound of piteous moaning.\n\nI stand and head [[to the door.|Go help Taryn]]\n

I open my eyes. The floors are covered in piles of black dust. Before I can even think, my arms are shutting the doors, holding them closed. But no more of the creatures have approached; evidently they, too, have seen that magical light.\n\nBut where did it come from?\n\nI look behind me. Tor is shielding his wife. Both of them are streaked with blood. Whose blood?\n\nAurelius lies slumped on the floor in front of them. Only Brandy, the driver, and the porter are still standing. \n\nThere's a noise of pain, a low moan. It's coming from Taryn.\n\n"H-help... help me..."\n\n[[Go to Taryn.]]\n\n[[Guard the doors.]]\n\n\n

I approach the girl and heft her bag easily with one arm. She shoots me a dirty look.\n\n"Thanks, I suppose," she mutters, drawing her long hair over one shoulder with her hands. "I'm in Four."\n\n I take her bag up the steps of Caravan Four. Inside the main cabin is a hallway which splits off into five other cabins. The girl motions to #2 and pushes the door ajar. I drop her things inside.\n\nNow she looks slightly more appreciative than before, but she's still not exactly giving me friendly vibes.\n\n[[Who are you?|Ask about her]]\n\n[[Examine the room]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 2>>

Creatures are pouring into the room. I can't even see what's happening - there are so many undead cramming in here, pressing around us --\n\n"//leave//," they whisper. "//leave!//"\n\nThe flash of light takes me by surprise. My mouth is open, my eyes shut. Even so, I see the bright red light engulf us all, and the ghouls, too. I hear their cries and screams, feel heat on my face and my arms. It's a burning, purifying heat, stronger than anything I've ever felt in my life. The kind of magical heat that forges metals, that [[baptizes through fire.]]\n\n

"I beg your pardon?"\n\n"I mean, are you traveling with this Caravan?" I explain.\n\nThe girl just stares at me with a look of general unease. "... Why?"\n\n[[Have you met any of the other occupants?]]\n\n[[Just wanted to make friends.]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 1>>

Demali is silent a long time. Her face has many emotions within it.\n\nI see now why they called Demali the Tigress of the West in her prime. She is fiercely passionate -- beautiful in her determination, in the way she carries herself with a certain haughtiness and grace. She is one of the leaders of the Lightbringers. She is my advanced superior by far.\n\nThe others say I am lucky to have been trained by her, that she is pulling favorites by being here with me tonight. My nerves are on edge.\n\n\n\n"Naya. Do you... feel you are ready?"\n\n"To be a Lightbringer?" I ask, confused.\n\n"Yes."\n\nI only wish I knew what my task were. But that is not permitted. I know the rules.\n\n\n[[Of course I am.|Of course it is.]]\n\n[[I have... doubts.]]\n\n\n\n

He doesn't look at me directly. I don't even know if my words reached him. But he seems... at the moment, to be contented somehow.\n\nThere's a cry from the other room. From [[Taryn's room.|Go help Taryn]]\n\nBut I've got to [[interrogate Aurelius more]]. He might be Fabula. That's my real duty here -- isn't it?

The girl's eyebrows raise high.\n\n"Do you not understand that I'm trying to make you go the hell away?" she says, and turns half away from me.\n\n[[I don't mean to be a bother.|Sorry to bother you, then...]]\n\n[[Yes, but I'm trying to be nice.]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 1>>

Brandy shrugs the man off. He stops trying, and gives up, walking around the side of the caravan.\n\n[[Follow]]

I sit up calmly in bed to greet my opponent.\n\nThere's a quiet chuckle. "//Ashi//, you've calmed some. I would not have expected you to be so... quiet."\n\nI recognize that voice. \n\n"[[Ari?]]"

He shakes his head. "I respect my father. He won my own mother's hand in a tournament in Kieralos. She was the daughter of a baron. He told me I ought to never marry outside the bloodline; He told me it would be embarrassing for him. But I... did it anyways, because I... love Taryn, and I... knew this might happen from the start."\n\n"That... seems... hard," says Aurelius, breaking his silence.\n\n"What?"\n\n"Hard to live under. I think it would be. To have a father always telling you how to live, I mean. Isn't that a hard life to live?"\n\n"I love my father, and respect his lineage," says Tor, drawing his hand over his heart.\n\n"Yeah, but that's..." Aurelius trails off. "Well, nevermind."\n\nSuddenly the caravan [[comes to a stop.]]\n\n

I spring out of bed immediately and lunge for the figure. My knife comes to hand easily--\n\n-- but the person knocks my wrist aside, laughing. //Laughing?// I whip around for the rebound, but my other fist is caught just as easily.\n\n"You would kill me, //ashi?//" says the voice. Their grip is strong. \n\nThen I see her face.\n\n"[[Ari?]]"

We head to the right side of the caravan, where the driver is coming down the ladder.\n\n"We are //not// stopping in the middle of a valley full of dead people," says Brandy. "Hell no. //Hell no.//"\n\n"Look fer y'self," says the driver, motioning to the path before us: the valley cliffside has recently caved in it seems, and the rubble has formed an enormously tall pile, blocking the path completely.\n\n"And your backup plan is?" Brandy snaps.\n\n"I ain't ne'er seen this happen in all my years. I canna' lift this ol' girl that high up. She only goes mebbe twelve feet," he says apologetically. "We'll need t'clear some o' these rocks away so's we kin get the caravan through."\n\nTaryn eyes the position of the sun above our heads. It's perhaps a little after three now. Sunset is at five.\n\n"Will we make it before night?" she asks the driver.\n\n"[[Gods, I 'ope so,]]" he says.

I'll stay a while and chat by the fire.\n\nI head back to the caravan to drop off my coat; it's a bit [[warmer out tonight|Search 1]] than usual.

I wait. Time passes.\n\nWhich of the four people on this caravan is my target? They are all equally suspicious to me. I think I have some ideas, but... I'm not sure. I wish I knew. Time is ticking.\n\nSuddenly, the caravan grinds to a halt beneath me.\n\n"[[Pitch camp!|Search 1]]" yells the porter from somewhere outside.

Yeah, it's got to just be nerves. New town and all that.\n\nI miss the Lighthouse. I miss Ari.\n\nI fall asleep thinking of this, and waiting for [[morning to come]].

I'm not going to sit here and take abuse. I aim a punch at her from beneath. She dodges nimbly and socks me in the jaw in return -- ouch.\n\nThrough blurry eyes I see her smile a little, but not in triumph -- in respect.\n\n"Hmph," she says. "Let that teach you, ugly bitch."\n\nAt that moment, I feel her lifted off of me from above. The porter for Caravan Four has evidently decided to intervene at last. \n\n"Girls. Calm yourselves," says [[a voice.]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike + 4>>

I've got to find Demali before I go.\n\n"I can't leave," I say. "I'm waiting --"\n\nThe two men stand, their hands pressed flat on the table in a subdued threat.\n\nIt'd make too much of a distraction to do anything else but go.\n\n[[Leave.]]

"Yes, Demali," I say, trying not to sound too desperate. "Yes, it is. For years now."\n\nDemali's face remains resolute.\n\n<<if $ankle eq 1>>\nShe glances down at my ankle, then meets my eyes; "we've already proven once tonight that you may not be material for the Lightbringers. I am unconvinced that you have learned much during your time in the order. But..." she pauses.\n<<endif>>\n\n"The younger girls look forward to calling you their sister. They have told me you are a popular pick. But you are too emotional sometimes, Naya. Too hasty. You are... have been ... unable to keep your mind clear in the past."\n\nShe begins to pace. "Do you understand?"\n\n[[I can do better.]]\n\n[[Is that bad?]]\n\n<<set $demali = $demali + 1>>\n

I knock on Brandy's door. A moment later, it opens, and the girl is leaning casually against the door frame, her hair down and unbound. She is wearing a semiopaque nightshift, though it's only a little into the afternoon. \n\n<<if $brandylike lte 2>>\nBrandy gives me a wary look. "Did you just forget that I don't like you?"\n\n[[Yes. Hello!]]\n\n[[Look, I know we got off to a bad start...]]\n\n[[Cut the act.|I'm not threatened by you.]]\n\n<<else>>\nBrandy eyes me, then gives me a smirk.\n\n"Of all the people on this caravan so far, I currently hate you the least," she says.\n\n[[I guess I don't hate you either.]]\n\n[[Why are you here?]]\n\n<<endif>>\n\n\n\n<<set $seenbrandy = 1>>

You know. Sketchy little bar, tough crowd, darkened corner, card table... all the trappings of a bad setup.\n\nDemali likes to play games with me sometimes. Not to be cruel, I think, but to see what I'll do. I don't know how interesting I am as a pupil, though.\n\nThe [[tender]] is still looking at me.\n\nMy eye falls on the card table, too.\n\nShould I [[sit down and play]] or just.. [[talk to them]]?

I duck away from him. His fist sinks into the wood of the tavern wall; he grunts.\n\nAnother swing, this time for my face. This one, I cannot duck. I feel the knife in my wrist come to hand easily.\n\n[[Knock him over.]]\n\n[[Use my knife.]]

An hour or more passes. I continue to struggle against the waves. At some point I lose sight of the caravan.\n\nI don't know how, but somehow, we make it.\n\nSome god up there wants me to live, against all odds.\n\nAt some point I feel rocks and shore underneath my feet. I feel myself [[blacking out.]]

The dark hills are touched silver by the moon. Clouds roam the horizon.\n\nI think to myself, just for a moment, that I am afraid. [[Afraid to kill]], or... afraid to [[become a Lightbringer?]] Or... is it [[just nerves|afraid of something else?]]?

I recognize this white powder. As I put a slight bit of the residue on the tip of my finger and smell it, I realize it for what it is: berdellium, a small and very potent poison. \n\nThis is the sort of thing used to murder kings. What is it doing in Brandy's quarters?\n\nI turn back to the room, but as I glance around, I notice the sound of footsteps approaching. Should I [[run for it]] or just [[hide myself]]?\n\n<<set $brandypoison = 1>>

Taryn looks at me, and her face is dead calm.\n\n"Ah. I guess I should be surprised. But I was told to watch out for those who would find out my identity."\n\nShe turns. "Ay, ''I knew you were a Lightbringer operative sent to kill me from the start.'' I was terrified last night, after the little one passed. I was so scared. I didn't know what to do with myself. My annulment is in two days, and then Tor will go back to Hahn and I shall stay in Calypso, alone, unloved, now without even a child to call my own. And I knew there was the very strong likelihood that you would kill me soon."\n\nShe smiles. "But you know what? I'm not scared somehow. Because now I think, perhaps I have told my last //Fabula//. Perhaps this time my sorrow is over. Now I have nothing left to lose. I have no home. I have nothing."\n\n[[It's time to die.]]\n\n[[I want to know your side of the story I was told.]]

\nIt takes us an extra half-day to reach the path that leads to the Fyoran Forest. By the time we arrive where we ought to have landed ashrore in the first place, everyone's wishing we'd just taken the easier route.\n\nI get the feeling that I made a good choice. But it seems like the rest of the group ''is displeased with me.''\n\nNow is my chance to [[kill again]]; everyone is indoors for the time being. \n\nAlternatively, I could wait longer -- to be sure -- to be certain. \n\n[[To the forest.|forest]]\n\n<<set $brandylike = $brandylike - 5>>\n<<set $torlike = $torlike - 5>>\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike - 5>>\n<<set $aureliuslike = $aureliuslike - 5>>

Moments pass. The only sound is the rattling doors, and the noise of hundreds of whispers outside, calling to us.\n\n"//come out...//"\n\n"//leave...//"\n\n"//COME ouuuTTTT...//"\n\n<<if $monastery eq 1>>\nSuddenly, there's a loud rumbling noise. The rattling at the doors dies away immediately.\n\n"Open them," Brandy says to me.\n\nI do, but I look at her like she's crazy.\n\nTo my surprise, the caravan is immediately before the monastery doors, hovering fifty feet off the valley floor. the obervational deck opens up before me.\n\nI make a snap judgement, then. I don't know what the hell is happening, but we've got to get out of here. \n\n<<else>>\nSuddenly, there's a loud rumbling noise. The rattling at the doors dies away immediately.\n\n"Open them," Brandy says to me.\n\nI do, but I look at her like she's crazy.\n\nTo my surprise, the caravan is now hovering fifty feet off the valley floor. We're high above the ground. I can see the ghouls below us, walking aimlessly beneath the moon-shadow of our caravan.\n\nI make a snap judgement, then. I don't know what the hell is happening, but we've got to get out of here. \n\n<<endif>>\n"[[Forward!|Everyone on!]] NOW!"\n

"I think we should go to the Fyoran Forest," I say.\n\n"It's... it's far," Aurelius points out. "It's a long walk to get there."\n\n"Even so," I affirm, "it's a better option. I'd rather take my chances with mythological creatures than the undead."\n\nThe driver nods; we begin heading for the caravan, which is once more drifting above the ground, waiting for us.\n\n[[Travel2.]]

\nI pause; there's a rustle of curtains, and Brandy emerges, stepping down from the caravan. She doesn't see me. The woman begins to walk out to the woods, but the caravan porter stops her.\n\n"Madame!" he calls.\n\nBrandy looks up, irritated, distracted. \n\n"What?" she snaps. "I'm starving."\n\n"A moment to chat, if you will?"\n\nHer door is open. The thought suddenly occurs to me that I could look through her things, if I cared to, now that she's not looking.\n\n\n[[Eavesdrop.]]\n\n[[Go into her cabin.]]\n\n[[Just head to the fire. I shouldn't draw attention to myself.|chatfire]]

Taryn brings forth a small silver appliance, round and spherical, with a thin silver hose-like appendage protruding from one side.\n\nShe offers the end of the silver hose to me; I bring it to my lips and inhale, just once. I've never smoked anything before. I know some of the other //ashi// are fond of this kind of thing, but not me.\n\nI cough once, but soon -- a feeling of peace comes over me. Complete peace, like still waters at night. \n\nTaryn is speaking to me, but I find it difficult to understand--\n\n"... always a little overwhelming the first time," she says, smiling at me. "Are you quite all right?"\n\n"Yeah," I say quietly.\n\n"It reminds me of Hahn," says Taryn. "That is why I smoke often. It is... it brings me to peace. [[To my youth.]]"\n\n<<set $tarynlike = $tarynlike + 2>>\n\n\n\n