A DRUNKEN SPLEEN PRODUCTIONNear Astraea, Ethean Empire
Anukyr cursed silently as he watched the unfolding mess from atop a grassy hill. Not one or two, but four armies had already arrived to fight for the Eye. He sighed in frustration, the Goddess had apparently decided to test his faith yet again. Common sense would have made him turn back and return to the Khaganate and the High Priestess with empty hands. But if he were listening to common sense then the Red Priest would have refused the quest to start with. Besides, if Anukyr ordered a retreat now, he and his followers would surely be cursed and haunted by the souls of their fallen companions for their cowardice and for making their sacrifices useless.
“So, what do we do now, Anukyr?” Sahavir asked, finally breaking the silence.
“We’re here to take the Eye and return it to the great temple in Karablagasun.” The Red Priest replied sternly, turning to the priestess he continued. “It’s our divine duty, not only to Babash Talek but also to those who fell since we entered this cursed, heathen, country.”
“If you want to kill yourself go ahead.” Sahavir replied, gesturing to the distant battle. “But please, recall that unlike everyone else here we do not have an army at our backs. We go down there and we die.”
“Maybe we could sneak into the ruins?” Anwukhuar suggested meekly, his brown horse shifting uneasily. “Use the battle as a distraction and snatch the Eye before they realize what’s happening.”
“And I suppose you think we would be able to do that?” Sahavir asked in an acidic tone. “I don’t know about you but they didn’t teach us how to infiltrate and steal during my days as an initiate. That’s assuming the Eye is still in the ruins.”
“Do you have a better idea then?” Anukyr half hissed. “Because I’m not going to simply turn back now.”
Sahavir was about to reply when one of the surviving Blue Priests spoke up:
“I do have an idea.” He pointed towards the city north of the ruins. The tiny bells strung in his beard jingling as he moved. “We go to Astrea. It’s clearly inhabited and properly maintained. So it must mean that the Old Empire still controls it. The Avestas teach that the people of the Old Empire were the first to follow the Red Goddess, surely they will give us shelter once we make our identity known.”
Anukyr regarded him silently, analyzing the plan for a few moments before replying:
“And how can we be sure that it isn’t simply another heathen tribe that controls the city? That they won’t simply shoot us once we get close enough?”
“Do they look like nomads to you, Anukyr?” The Blue Priest asked as he gestured to the battle. “Even from here I can see that they fly the colors of the Old Empire. Besides, even if they aren’t what other choice do we have? We can’t stay here and wait for the victor’s mercy. As you are so fond of reminding us, we still have our mission to carry out.”
“It’s worth a shot.” Sahavir agreed. “But still, the Old Empire still standing...imagine what we could learn from them if this is true…”
“You forget that they may have the Eye.” Anukyr warned. “The Eye we’re supposed to retrieve.”
“The High Priestess sent us here to make sure the Eye doens’t fall into the hands of heathens. If we’re right and it is indeed the Old Empire then we need not worry.” The Blue Priest retorted.
Both Anukyr and Anwukhuar prepared to reply and continue the argument before Sahavir silenced them:
“Yes, yes. The sacrifice of our fellows and bla-bla-bla. We’re not forgetting about them, but we also must accept the fact that we’re not in position to do much. Had the High Priestess convinced the clans to send us with an army maybe we could do something, but we’re only seven riders. Wounded and tired from weeks of travel.”
“Besides, I’m not going to raise my sword against the Old Empire. No matter what you say.” The Blue Priest added. “They were the first followers of the Red Goddess.”
“I know my theology, Shankar.” Anukyr snarled and then sighed. “But it seems we have no choice here. We ride to the city and pray for the best.” He then turned to the Blue Priest. “But if this doesn’t works-”
“We all die. Yes, but our chances aren’t that much better if we stay here either.” The Blue Priest then turned backwards to the rest of their party, who was probably having a similar discussion at the base of the hill, and called out to them.
And so they turned their horses towards Astrea, avoiding the ruins and the battle completely. Anukyr and the two remaining Blue Priests at the front, followed by the two remaining warriors and priests. Sahavir, as the only interpreter and diplomat of the group was left at the rear of the formation.
As the riders neared the city they could see the distinct forms of men moving about the walls, some yelling and pointing in their general direction. Men began to line up on the walls, bows held at the ready but bowstrings not pulled back, yet at least. Then the gates opened and a group of thirty heavily armored men marched out and began a slow trot towards the riders. It was clear, even from a distance, that these men were no nomads. They held to a tight formation, the kind that only men who drilled on a regular basis could. Their laminar armor shone brightly in the sunlight. The weapons they held were crafted by true blacksmiths and all looked to be new. Finally as the armored troops neared Anukyr and his party they came to a stop.
“Identify yourselves” One of the armored men shouted in the nomadic tongue, his accent was clear even to those who couldn’t speak the language.
Anukyr stared back at the man, he didn’t speak a word of the nomadic language. Instead, it was Sahavir who spoke for the group:
“We’re priests. Hailing from the Axasiri Khaganate in the west and sent here once we received word of the Eye’s location.” She then turned to Anukyr, who nodded for her to continue. “Are you Etheans?”
The armored man eyed Sahavir for a moment before speaking again. “Yes xenos, we are Etheans. I know not of this Axasiri.” He paused before continuing “Are you children of the world-mother?”
“We’re faithful servants of the Red Goddess of the Volcano, if that’s what you’re asking.” She replied before saying something to her companions in her own language
“Close enough I suppose” The armored man muttered. “You may follow us into Astraea, but be warned xenos, we will not hesitate to cut you down should you prove to be a threat.” With that said he turned and led his men back towards Astraea.
“They will let us in.” Sahavir announced to the group. “Don’t to do anything stupid, let me do the talking and keep to yourselves.” And with that they followed the riders into the city.
As the entered the city it became apparent, if it weren’t so before, that the city was very much alive and being maintained. The walls were in great condition, with men seen patrolling the battlements and manning the ballistas. In the distance the sounds of a bizarre or market could be heard, despite the fact that a small war was being waged beyond the walls not too far away. Even so the only figures in sight were those of the heavily armed and armored soldiers that now eyed Sahavir and her party warily.
“Are these our guests” A young woman asked as she strode into view. Her dress, that of a vibrant red silk chiton, certainly set her apart from the other Etheans in sight. Small pieces of gold jewelry that had been woven into the silk jingled as she moved. Most of her pale blonde hair was allowed to fall freely from her head, although a small amount of it was kept in a bun by a pair of ornaments. She smiled warmly as she looked at the ‘guests’. “Welcome to Astraea” She said as she approached the group of outsiders.
“We thank you for your hospitality.” Sahavir replied with a cordial smile. “To be honest, we weren’t expecting to find the Old Empire stil standing. Though it’s a relief to be proven mistaken.” Sahavir then turned to her companions and told them to dismount.
“Just as much as it is a relief to finally meet some… civilized xenos” The woman responded as she closed the distance to Sahavir and embraced her like a dear friend. The armored Etheans tensed, but otherwise made no motion. “You may call me Aleris if it pleases you” The Ethean woman said as she released Sahavir from her embrace.
“It’s a relief to be so well received.” Sahavir replied, somewhat discomforted by this Aleris. “I am Sahavir-Oiur, priestess of Manurta, the god of merchants and traders and interpreter of this fellowship.”
“Your presence here must be the will of the world-mother” Aleris said as she shifted her gaze to the others in Sahavir’s group. “But I’m sure you and your companions are tired and hungry. If you’d like I’m sure I could arrange for some food and wine to be prepared in short order.”
“I thank you for your offer. And we would be honored to receive your hospitality.” Sahavir replied with another smile before adding more hesitantly. “But do you have anything other than wine? I don’t mean to offend, but my people isn’t used to consuming alcohol and I would rather avoid any possible incidents.”
“Would water suffice?” Aleris asked. “And I hope you don’t mind fish. I would offer you something else but… well Astraea isn’t known for farming.”
“It will be more than enough.” Sahavir replied before turning to the group and telling them what was just agreed. The Axasiri cheered a little bit and Anukyr gave her a complimentary pat on the back.
Aleris, and more than a few heavily armored soldiers, led the Axasiri to what one might consider a nice tavern. If by nice tavern one meant a building the size of three normal taverns put together and decorated by paints and statues that must have been centuries old. It was the kind of place one might expect nobility to be found. Oddly enough the ‘tavern’ was devoid of occupants, except for a few servants and guards.
“The chefs will be done preparing your food soon” Aleris said as she led the group to the largest table in the room. “If you’d like to clean yourselves” She continued “you will find the public bath in that backroom.”
Sahavir translated Aleris’ words and added a hissed warning of her own as the rest of the group went one by one to the public bath.
“Once again, I thank you for all this.”
“You are the first guests we’ve had in centuries” Aleris said. “It's the least I could do. I’ve been hoping to speak to some non-hostile xenos for a while now anyways. Sadly the nomads don’t make great conversationalists.”
“Don’t need to tell me that.” Sahavir replied, mood darkening. “We tried to talk to them once and lost three of our own. Bunch of heathen savages the lot of them.”
“Indeed” Aleris agreed, much of the warmth seeming to drain from her pretty face. “All attempts to make peace with them have ended in tragedy.” There was a moment of silence before she perked up again. “Ah look, it appears that your food is ready.” She gestured towards several servants who were carrying plates of fish and bread. The servants said nothing as they brought the food over, scarcely looking towards the Axasiri.
“Now then” Aleris began, “I’ve been told you come seeking the Eye.”
“Yes, we have.” Sahavir started, apologetically. “But we were working under the assumption that the Old Empire was gone. Once we heard that the Eye was here, the High Priestess sent us to make sure that the Eye didn’t fall in the hands of heathens.” At this she turned to Anukyr, who had by this point washed off most of the grime and dirt from his dyed hair, and translated something to him. The Red Priest replied quickly and Sahavir turned back to Aleris. “My companion here is wondering if you know anything about the ongoing battle.”
“I must confess that I do not know much” Aleris said with a small shrug. “From what I’ve heard there are three foreign forces out there right now. His Imperial Majesty took a force comparable in size to what the nomads brought, so I’m sure he will find nothing but victory.” She gestured towards one of the armored men. When the soldier approached she whispered something to him. He nodded before marching out of the tavern. “We shall see if the situation has changed” Aleris said.
“Now I must say” She continued “that this series of events can be none other than the will of the world-mother. For how else could we make contact with the outside world while at the same time obtaining the Eye?”
“Indeed.” Sahavir replied. “The Avestas speak much about the glory and power of the Old Empire. And to see that it still stands despite everything, will open up many new opportunities to us.”
“It is nice to know that we haven’t been forgotten” Aleris commented. “But tell me… how do you expect to return to your homes? Honestly I’m amazed you made it here in the first place. How many thousands did you leave with?”
“We departed the Khaganate with 10 riders and made our way through the lawless lands between our nations without much trouble. It was only when we entered the lands of the savages that we found opposition. And that was only because we miscalculated and tried to trade with them.” Sahavir replied before she turned to speak with Anukyr. After a minute or two she turned back to Aleris. “As for our return, we originally thought that keeping a low profile would be enough. But with all these armies around we think it will be feasible to slip away in the confusion.”
“Perhaps” Aleris didn’t sound convinced. “Though I should warn you that the region will be flooded with savages soon. They’ll number in the tens of thousands by the end of the month. They’ll try to breach our walls.” She rolled her eyes. “And like always we’ll repel them. I might be able to arrange transportation via ship to another of our cities. It won’t get you terribly far, but at least you will have a chance of skirting around the nomadic horde.”
She turned to Anukyr and soon the rest of the party had joined the discussion. After several minutes the conversation died off and Sahavir turned back to Aleris.
“And where would this city be? The Khaganate is in the western tip of the continent. If we follow the river for too long we will end up too far to return in time.”
“We have cities all around the lake” Aleris answered. “Any one of them may be far enough away to reduce the dangers you’ll encounter.” She shrugged. “Barring that you may just want to wait the nomads out. They’ll lose interest soon enough. They always do.”
Sahavir translated to her group and after another short discussion she replied:
“If you would have us, we would be willing to send some of our group by ship to bypass the bulk of the nomads while the rest waits here for them to disperse.”
“Very good. I shall bring the matter up with his Imperial Majesty once he returns.”
“Thank you.” Sahavir replied. “Is there any chance that we may be granted access to some of your religious texts? I would be very grateful for the chance to study them.”
“Certainly. I’ll see that some be delivered here.” She waved at a nearby soldier, who nodded before taking his leave. “In the meantime feel free to make yourselves at home here. You may treat this entire building as if it were your home and all those you find in it are your servants. But please do not leave the building.” She offered them a warm smile before asking “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“You’re already doing more than enough.” Sahavir replied with another smile. “Thank you.”
