Ti

The Hourglass Order

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Event: Baudile and the Dame | Location: Mandelein

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The rain had stopped for the first time in eight days. Parts of the Teuffelsumpf were flooded, mirroring the not-so-far Quari’muna in its more swampy state. Mandelein was spared from the rising water levels by being in slight elevations and cleverly placed trenches to keep the streets relatively clear.

It was reaching dusk. Baudile was slouched over an old chair within a defunct tavern, dressed in a casual dark tunic that resembled nothing of his clerical gown. It hadn’t been abandoned for too long, with crates still remaining from a stalled move. It was strange to see - an empty tavern in a Kerreman town - as if the soul of this place had truly been drained by something. But what? The Monk was keen on working this curious mystery. But first, he was waiting for yet another dame, one he had actual business with.

A figure entered through the door, stepping inside. They were dressed in a long dark coat, beaked mask, a pointed hat, and carrying a sachet. The tavern was quiet, and already Baudile’s eyes were upon them. The figure paused for a moment, then started to slowly remove the mask. Striking green eyes peer back toward him searchingly as a shock of white hair flowed through the sides as the mask is pulled away. The dark figure had a sudden transformation as she greeted him in a casual tone. “Goejûn, Baudile.”. The voice was soft, and surprisingly warm. “I hope you have not waited for too long.”

“Olá to you too, Senhorita of the Dragons.” Baudile adjusted himself and leaned over the wooden table before him, elbow rested over the edge and his untied hair hiding a quarter of his face, “I got a little worried when the only girl with white hair was taller than me. You didn’t make the cut for their group?” suggested Baudile with a taunting grin as he reached for a pouch tied to his belt. Two cigarettes were taken out, freshly rolled, with one fitting into his beak. He then lit up while offering the second to the girl, “Your information was good, by the way.” he remarked after exhaling a cloud of smoke, “This is where they’re unloading the goods. Now, what that is, I’m not entirely certain yet.”

Taleja seated herself at the table as she learned forward slightly. Her green eyes focused upon the monk in front of her as she spoke in that measured and controlled tone. “They have already arrived?” Her voice displaying a hint of surprise, “It is far swifter than anticipated. Have the Zeno provided their names?” she queried, as she was attempting to recall those with white hair. “Zenos?” inquired Baudile, brow raised and grin only widening. “Tan-Zeno?” mimicking the gesture of the raised brow. “Are many Tan-Zenos sixteen-to-seventeen years old?” he crossed his arms as the cigarette passively burned away. “Biro?” her tone bordered on incredulous as she pursed her lips disapprovingly. “Biro.” chuckled the amused man, taking a generous puff to celebrate.

As Baudile offered her the cigarette, she raised her hand to politely refuse it, and instead, reached into a small leather pouch at her side. The scent of mint wafted up as she retrieved a piece of gum, and offered one to Baudile as well. “Tree resin, you chew upon it.” she explained, her voice showing a faint note of amusement.

“My information is always good.” Taleja continued, her tone firm and confident. “That has never been questioned.” She paused as her eyes narrowed slightly as she considered the product. “What it is, needs to be handled delicately with care.” Her words careful. “That much is clear.”

“I wouldn’t be able to say what’s the best approach,” unlike the girl, Baudile accepted the minty delicacy, although he kept it by his hand on the table and continued to indulge in his smoke, “I’ve been here for two weeks and not even my own brother will open up, let alone the townsfolk. So,” he shrugged, “I’ve been employing a more hands-on approach.” from the same pouch, a capsule was taken out, and if opened would reveal a coded scroll, “Your correspondence led to their supply chain showing their hand. Whatever is going on here, it’s connected to these bastardos. And they expect a shipment from you.”

Taleja extended her gloved hand toward Baudile, her fingers curled expectantly as he carefully placed the small capsule within her palm, which she examined with a discerning eye. “Translated, I presume” Her voice cool. With deft fingers, she opened the capsule and extracted a scroll, scanning the words and the translated code with a practised eye. As she finished reading, she moved the candle on the table closer to them, its flickering light casting strange shadows on their faces. She held the scroll to the flame and watched as the paper curled and blackened, its contents consumed by the fire, and the air between them filled with the scent of burning parchment.

She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs and tapping her fingers on the edge of the table. “Biro. Unpredictable, but we have little choice. This task cannot be completed alone.” She paused for a moment, deep in thought, before continuing. “The plan…” She looked up at Baudile, her green eyes meeting his gaze. “What do you suggest for our next steps?”

“Make some friends.” Baudile half-jokingly recommended, “It’s Brother Dubosque out of this room, by the way.” the finished cigarette was pressed to the ashtray and the remains discarded, “But you’ll want some that can scrap. Which I’m no good at. I’d like to keep this pretty face intact.” always the ‘charming’ man, dancing around the notion of danger and acting far too cool given the circumstances, “But there is something you should know about the forest.” his tone had lost its playful lustre as he engaged the new subject, “The group that went after the supposed ‘beast’ hasn’t returned since the early hours of Ipte. Whatever is happening in there, always have a backup plan. Like me.” he winked, ”Must-have if you’re going under the Church’s nose. Which leads me to my final bit of advice: You were among their group from the start, if anybody asks. You were just delayed in Irsburg for …” he shrugged, “Something scientific. Whatever floats your boat.” She looked toward Baudile with a straight face and a monotone voice as she responded with a single word in deadpan delivery. “Buoyancy.” Baudile furrowed his eyebrows.

Taleja tapped thoughtfully as she considered the situation, “Have you identified any of the Biro?” Baudile paused and raised his eyes in muse, “I know one by name. Una linda senhorita called Dorothea.” then, a thought crossed his mind, an unsettling one, and it reflected on his deflating features, “A nun too. Laske or something? The rest I only saw them wander the streets. They’re staying at the only functioning Tavern-Inn.” She nodded, “The Feskan is the ideal candidate for me to approach.”

She weighed the pro and cons of each potential course of action, as she took a deep breath and spoke thoughtfully. “It’s possible that those are missing are competent enough to return by themselves. In this scenario, we can save time and resources by focusing solely on the task before us and prevent this abhorrent scheme from coming to fruition.” She paused briefly, “However, if they are not capable. The ones that remain are likely to organize a rescue party to retrieve their missing classmates.” Baudile nodded as he opted to stand. A bit of stretches and a yawn later, he spoke again, “If they don’t return by nightfall, we’ve got reason to worry, but until then -” he swiped a beret he had lying on the nearby counter wore it, “Best not to get into trouble, even with the smugglers, when you do the meet. Could be wise to get some information and scout out their resources first, no?” She paused for a moment before adding with a deadpan expression. “We don’t want anyone getting lost on the way, after all.”

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The Hourglass Order

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Event: Metropolis | Location: Wánggǎng, ReTan

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Part 1

Maura was up next to be questioned by Ming and Zihan. She mulled over on how to respond as she listened in on Yalen’s answers. There was a thought she had, and perhaps… she moved herself up to the investigators, and being female, mainly spoke to Zihan.

After taking a deep breath, she approached with a calm and measured tone, she began to make her case. “There is a truth you will never hear from the others. The enemy was severely underestimated.” She looked toward the pair as she waited for her words to be translated. “The Traveller is a menace, not only of the Twin-Continents, but also of Callanst too, and this is for good reason. This isn’t because we are not as good as ReTan, but because the Traveller is a disease which festers in the wounds and causes society to rot.”

As she spoke, Maura used her hands to gesture towards the building and the surroundings, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “The Grey Ghosts dragged an old man out, Mr Bao, treating him as nothing more than a mouse to beat and set as a public example, all the while completely unaware of what was in front of them. If it wasn't for our intervention, the enemy would have gone unnoticed and allowed to continue.”

“Even though we held the old man, in place whilst the ghosts bound him. It was a brief moment of distraction as we healed Captain Zhu’s wounds that he easily escaped, and displayed the use of the gift far beyond what was expected of him.”

Maura continued to make her case, using her hands to emphasize her points.
“When you have seen the brutality of the traveller in action, you will realize how insidious the actions are behind it. My good friend was riding a horse, when the traveller incited a mob to attack her, to attack us. An innocent girl, whose crime was to look richer than the common folk. Her head smashed open upon the road. You want to know who the traveller sent? An orphan, indoctrinated as a martyr. The Traveller wanted us to kill a child in revenge, to turn the commoners against us, incite them into revolt. The orphan cried and begged to be killed when we refused to do it.”

“The Traveller is more than a person, it is an idea. A very dangerous and powerful one.” she explained, “It is the idea that people are equal, and those on the top are the enemy to be toppled, and that violence is the only answer. It is an idea which is supported by the weapons to create this world, the means to turn those meek like mice into roaring lions.”

Maura, concluding with a case for her own abilities and those of her companions. “We may not be as strong as your best fighters, but we have insight and perspective, we understand who our enemy is, and this knowledge is invaluable in this fight. We ask for your trust and your confidence in this matter.” She finished, looking directly at those listening.

Zihan regarded Maura steadily. Either this one was an asset or a danger. She had dealt with many politicians in the past and she was not sure yet. Regardless, one to be kept close. It did not matter that she was largely wrong.

Part of her resented these... children, to be perfectly honest: how they'd just been dropped here via a portal, given a ticket right into the heart of Retan's inner workings for the sake of politics and because their families were likely important. They hadn't had to prove anything or go through any of the rigorous tests that she had. She also had no guarantees that they were the best for the job or even qualified, or... that they were even - in truth - allies.

Yet, a case had just been presented to her. At least they brought a new perspective. They were also here with goals, or... at least this one was: determined little thing with a calculating mind in a broken body. "The Traveler is insidious," she agreed, doubting the translation would come out smoothly but not strictly caring. "A disease, but make no mistake: he is an imported one, and far more familiar to your people than mine. Retanese do not push for this self-concerned equality you Easterners are so preoccupied with. We accept our roles with grace and a sense of duty to those around us and understand that all are important in the functioning of a society, or at least we always have, until recently."

Zihan scowled. "If you are willing to be part of the cure and you have anything to offer, I would be foolish not to employ you in this struggle. However, I warn that, if the cure should prove worse than the disease, we will act to protect ourselves." She clasped her hands at the small of her back. "On the morrow, at the station. The Speaker will give you the details." With that, she was finished with this one and ready for the next.

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The Hourglass Order

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Event: Castle Mandelein | Location: Mandelein, Kerremand

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Ashon and Qasem, the unlikely duo, embarked on their investigation of the crime scene and the witness Laura. The others split up into groups, with Mancroft, and the Ladies going with Viktor after the creature into the forest, and the Countess Dorothea leading a delegation with Sister Laska to the Graf’s castle. With them out of the picture, it was left to them to investigate the scene, with the Yasoi imparting words of wisdom to the other. “Presume nothing.”

With his gravitational magic, Ashon managed to stop the water droplets from falling over the crime scene as they pooled together into one big droplet. He improvised a makeshift tent with four long sticks and a sheet to keep the area as dry as possible while he examined it, casting the excess water to the side. Giving an explanation of the pointer to his colleague, “It is a mistake to presume, because one would start to twist the facts to fit the story. Rather, create a story based upon the facts.”

As Ashon delved deeper into his investigation, he faced significant challenges due to the footprints that had contaminated the crime scene. Despite this, Ashon persevered and searched every nook and cranny to uncover whatever evidence he could. He meticulously scanned the crime scene, searching for any evidence that may have been overlooked. “The world is full of obvious things which are overlooked.” As he looked closer, he realized that there was very little to work with on face value. The gunpowder had been washed away by the rain, leaving no traces of any gunshots or bullets. All that remained was a small puddle of blood, along with a few torn pieces of clothing. There were no signs of skin or organs, and it seemed as if the culprit had cleaned up after themselves.

However, upon closer inspection, Ashon noticed a shallow crater near where the blood had been splattered. It seemed as if something had exploded or been hit with great force. Additionally, there were some bent and broken tree branches nearby, trace amounts of blood, indicating that whatever had come through there came in a different direction. “The more outré and grotesque… we need to examine the ever more carefully.” Ashon gestured to his companion to take a closer look at the blood.

Qasem remained silent while Ashon began speaking. After taking note of who had come from the town to help, he seemed to ignore them completely. His focus instead lay with the half washed away crime scene. The blood that remained was highly diluted, but present enough to be drawn into his blade when placed in the ground. Qasem grasped the hilt and sent his own into the object to investigate.

"It’s all from one human" He called out to Ashon from his crouched position in the mud. "Some manas left it in, but they're dying fast, couldn't tell you how much."

Ashon furrowed his brow, deep in thought, as he considered the details of the crime. He replayed the events in his mind, trying to piece together what had happened. He picked up the shotgun, turning it over in his hands as he examined Laura's Hermann 12, he aimed the gun away and fired it. Deducting that it had been fired twice, there was evidence of a third shot that had been fired from a different, heavier gun. “There was definitely a third shot, from a different weapon. We need to find out who fired it.”

Qasem stood as his partner spoke, his eyes turning to Laura and the evasive Leonhardt. "The guardsmen carry heavy weapons. Koppelman 49, Manfred called them. Could have been the girl fighting back." He beckoned Ashon closer as he himself approached the remaining guardsman. “I wouldn’t be so hasty to come to that judgement.” as he indicated toward the pool of blood.

Qasem furrowed his brow as he moved to demonstrate his skill as he approached Laura, "I apologize, but we don't have time for typical formalities. Ashon, if you could please translate." In one sudden move he reached down and gently grasped Laura's hand. Instinctively, the girl stiffened and began to pull back, but Qasem's grip tightened under the resistance. Ashon offered a translation for the girl, his own curiosity peaked as well as he watched his colleague in action.

"I'm not going to hurt you," He explained to her, despite knowing she couldn't understand his words. "Only ask a few questions."

Only once she relaxed again did Qasem continue, again sliding his few manas into Laura's bloodstream to monitor her vitals as she spoke.

"Please tell us what happened tonight."

Laura fidgeted, but she reluctantly started to recount the events of the evening. “It was the middle of the night when I heard frantic knocking at my door. I answered it with my rifle in hand and saw Anna, who was drenched and had torn clothes. She seemed panicked and desperate, saying that something was coming after her. I tried to reassure her, but she suddenly burst into a fit of fear and claimed that something was coming inside the window. I pointed my gun at the window but found nothing. Then, she unlocked the front door and ran off.”

Her speech grew quieter as she began to hesitate, though pushing through to recount the events. “I pursued her and found her in a field of one of the farms. She was crying and saying that it won't stop. Suddenly, we heard a loud noise nearby, and I aimed my gun towards it. Then, I heard the most horrific, blood-curdling scream I had ever heard, and before I could turn around, there were gruesome goring sounds… and then… I shot at it.”

The girl was honest at least, even if the high stress of the situation make a clear reading difficult. "But what did you see" He pressed. Laura stared back at him, then to her captain.

“I'm not... I don't know.” He waited, but there were no signs of deception. Qasem nodded to her and smiled thankfully, but inside a small knot of worry tightened further.

“The shot you took then. Was it the first one fired? Did you hit anything?”

Laura shifted uncomfortably, fidgeting with her hands. “Yes, I took the first shot, but I didn't see if I hit anything.”

“Have there been any notable difference in Anna’s behaviour recently”

Laura takes a deep breath and begins to speak, “Well, she's been acting very strange recently. She's always been anxious, but she started acting paranoid tonight, constantly looking over her shoulder and jumping at every little sound. If it wasn’t for the marks on her, I would have thought she was losing her mind. In the end…”

“Do you know where Anna takes most of her meals?”

Laura thought for a moment before answering. “Well, she usually eats with the rest of us at work. Sometimes she cooks for herself at home”

“Where do the Mandelein guards get their weapons from?”

Laura found it simple to answer such questions, but confused as to why it would be asked, but was straightforward and concise. “We store and retrieve the weapons from the barracks. They are well maintained, but they are old, some are even older than myself.”

"Thank you, Laura." He looked at Leohardt staring daggers at him and bowed his head respectfully before withdrawing his hand and standing again.

Ashon pondered as he asked a further couple of questions. “The third shot, was that Viktor who chased the Beast away?”

“I think so.” Her voice was hesitant, as if she wasn't entirely sure.

He nodded with a smile, as he asked the final one, as he tilted his head to the side. “Where was Anna when you were being attacked?”

Laura quickly replied, “I don't know” but Qasem, being a truthseeker, noticed a change in her heart rate. It seemed as though Laura may have been withholding information

“We'll have better luck getting answers from elsewhere.” He finally said to Ashon. “We'll interview the captain tomorrow after he's cooled off, while we’re here we should see if the locals saw anything.” Ashon simply nodded and gave a smile, as he waved off Laura in a friendly manner, already getting the answer he needed.

As Ashon and Qasem made their way through the farm, they noticed the eerie silence that surrounded them, as if it was devoid of life. There were hardly any animals in sight, except for a few puff chickens that were kept in well-protected coops. The farm house itself was simple, made of timber with a thatched roof, the windows are small and few, as the shutters are firmly shut to keep out the cold, and perhaps more. On the small porch at the front, the family were gathered nearby as they approached. They spoke amongst each other in a thickly accented variant of Kerreman, which made it hard for even Ashon to understand.

Hans stopped his work to stand up straight as he peered over at the approaching strangers,his eyes squinted to see them more clearly in the distance. As they got closer, he approached them with caution, as he called out. “Guten tag, strangers. What brings you to our farm?”

"We've come to investigate a recent beast attack Qasem replied to the man honestly, though it would be up to Ashon to translate the words for him.

When they began to ask him about the recent events, Han’s gave a curt and dismissive nod. “I have too much work to do to waste my time on these matters” he said, his tone clipped and unfriendly. “I suggest you go speak to someone else who has more time to spare.” Despite Ashon and Qasem’s attempts to engage him, he remained stubbornly uninterested in discussing anything other than the work at hand. He went about his business, ignoring the outsiders as they continued to ask their questions.

The farmer’s wife, Anna, had returned from going inside the house. As she offered them some simple refreshment, some water and what appeared to bite sized pieces of honey cake. “Please, you must both be hungry. We have very little, we are happy to share what we have, then you can return to the village.” Her voice is polite and cordial, but likewise reserved.

"Thank you," Qasem smiled warmly to the farmer's wife. He took one of the small squares of cake but made no move to bring it to his mouth. "Not all would be so welcoming in trying times." he indicated toward the state of the farm.

Samuel would initially be hesitant to speak and would glance over at his father for approval. Hans would give him a stern look, prompting Samuel to respond. “We used to have many cows and even Pigeons we bred for messages,” he would say. “But they're gone now.” He would then fall silent and look back at his father, who would call him over to stop shirking and get back to work.

Ashon smiled toward Gertrude, as she stood by the porch, “Know anything about the rumoured beast?”

Gertrude was receptive as she replied. “My Mother used to tell us a bedtime story about the beast when we grew up. She often used to say, ‘If you don't finish your chores or behave, the beast will come and take you away!’” A faint smile appeared as if recalling such a time, though faded now. “Though, it was seen as more of a story to scare naughty children when I was younger, though something changed recently. Something dark must have happened to wake it up, even my parents are scared.”

“How recent was this?” Qasem questioned, after getting the gist of the conversation from Ashon.

“It turned up along the same time as that new monk did, I think his name was Brother Baudile.” Anna, interrupted her, her voice is firm yet gentle, “That's enough gossiping for now, Gertrude. It's time for you to tend to your chores.” Gertrude rolled her eyes and grumbled as she gets up away from the bannister, clearly annoyed at being interrupted. Anna gives her a stern look before turning her attention back to Ashon and Qasem, apologizing for her daughter's behaviour. “We don’t get much company, she does like to talk. Don’t let us keep you held here any longer.”

The youngest daughter, Fiona, sat quietly in the corner and fidgeted with her dress and avoided eye contact with the strangers. Ashon and Qasem can see that she is clearly scared and hesitant to speak.

"We have no other plans," Qasem replied casually, flashing a wide smile of brilliant teeth. "But we would never impose. Let your children rest a while and allow me to attend to their chores. I'm sure there is something I can help with."

Qasem provided the distraction as he approached the mother, as Ashon approached Fiona slowly and crouched down to her level, speaking softly and reassuringly toward her. “Hello there” the big, goofy looking Yasoi smiled widely toward her. “We won't hurt you, we promise. We are here to protect people.” He flexed his arm as he displayed his muscles in a comical but strong looking manner. He offered her the piece of honey cake he received toward her in a low and soothing manner. “I just want to ask you a few questions about what happened this evening. Do you think you could tell us what you saw?”

Eventually, with a little coaxing, Fiona began to speak in a soft voice, sharing what she knew. “I didn’t see anything. It was too dark and scary out there. There were loud bangs.”

Ashon nodded in a reassuring manner. “Yes, there were bangs, they chased it away.” He paused as he considered what to ask the little girl. “The farm seems rather empty, where did all the animals go?”

Fiona spoke in a timid voice, barely above a whisper, her eyes darting nervously. “The animals were eaten.” she said. “It happened all at once after Caldores.” Her small hands fidgeted in her lap, and she bit her lip anxiously.

He listened to her attentive as he offered her a reassuring smile. “You are brave. Did you manage to see who did it and what they looked like?”

Her voice conveyed a sense of fear and trauma with its hesitation. “They were beasts. They looked like big and angry animals… when I saw them, I hide in the closet.”

“The Beast of Mandelein. Your sister mentioned a tale about this?” Fiona recalled the popular children's story told in Mandelein about the beast that protects the village. According to the tale, long ago, when the Castle was under constant attack by bad people, the Lord of the castle made a deal with a great beast that lived in the nearby forest to protect the village. The beast agreed to the deal, and since then, Mandelein has been protected from any harm. However, the beast can get hungry at times and may take a bite off a villager who is not careful or a very naughty child who doesn't listen to their parents.

Ashon was about to go, when a thought struck him. “The Beasts… where did they come from?” The little girl hesitated at first, peeking, looked around as if checking her surroundings, and then answered in a low voice, “Here.” He looked toward her in confusion, then pointed downward to signify the farm.

Anna's face suddenly twisted into anger as saw Fiona looking so troubled talking to the Yasoi. She turned to Fiona and ordered her to go back to her room. “Enough! You're making my daughter uncomfortable. She's just a child. Leave now and don't come back.” With that, she pushed Ashon towards the door and gestured to Qasem to follow. Her voice was sharp and her movements aggressive as she made it clear they were not welcome any more.

As they made their way outside, Ashon turned to Qasem. “Once you use the facts to eliminate the impossible. Whatever is left, no matter how strange, must be the truth.” His expression appeared dark as they returned to the village to reunite with the others.

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The Hourglass Order

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Event: Metropolis | Location: Wánggǎng, ReTan

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Part 2

"Listen to me very carefully Mr. Bao. You haven't told us nearly enough for us to be satisfied. These men are not going away until you give us more information, so you better start talking while they're still in a lenient mood. WHO is your master, and WHAT does he do? I need you to give more clues so I can convince these guards to let you go. You'd like that wouldn't you?" Yalen punctuated his statement by shaking Bao's head a little bit.

'Mr. Bao' stiffened when Yalen grabbed him so forcefully, before his mind was fried with emotions that were not his own. In response to the Meattan's chemical stimulus, his lips started to pucker, before breaking into an uncontrolled smile.

Yalen continued, delivering his threats, and Xiulan duly translated, though it was difficult to tell if she had gotten the tone correct. The man knew what they were, however, for he was not stupid. He listened on, even as he was shaken, and an enormous, vacant, tooth-filled grin split the lower half of his face. Then, his mouth opened, and he laughed.

He laughed.

And he laughed.

And he laughed.

"你问我谁是我师父?" he suddenly blurted, voice going cold and icy. Xiulan began to translate: "You ask me who is my master?", but his grin was a sick thing now: sick and toothy. "Aaaaah haha! Aha! Aaaahahahaaaa!!" In the background, the last rays of the sun dipped below the rooftops. All around Yalen came the drawing of powerful magics, most of all from Lady Yang. "你看不到我的主人，但他看到了你!" (You do not see him, but he sees you!)

An outward explosion of kinetic energy erupted from the Servant and slammed into Yalen. Then, suddenly, the house was full of energies: over a dozen in the attic and the cellar, and they were strong.

Lady Yang was already in action, stepping forward and barking out orders. <<"Chen, Zhang, and Dai, between us and the house. Cai and Feng, pacify the prisoner!">> She strode forward, casually reaching out to catch Yalen with Kinetic magic and set him on his feet. <<"You pieces of shit: we have you now.">>

When Yalen was thrown back by the kinetic shockwave he was instantly reminded of the time he blew those demons in Eskand sky-high. He didn't hit a tree this time however thanks to Lady Yang's timely rescue. Whatever he or is companions though about the police in Rettan, it was a fact that they were well trained and quick to react, and for that he was grateful.

"One of you help Cai and Feng secure the old man! Everyone else with me! We're going in!" Yalen shouted while pointing at his teammates

Maura stood on the sidelines, her eyes fixed on the unfolding chaos. Her heart pounded as she watched Yalen get thrown back with a powerful wave of kinetic magic, only to be caught by the Grey Ghost captain. The air crackled with magical energy as her fellow students rushed in to reinforce the situation at the House. Despite the chaos, Maura couldn't help but feel disappointed in the Grey Ghosts' sloppy work. Deception and trickery seemed to easily overcome them, which left her feeling frustrated.

As Cai and Feng attempted to pacify the prisoner, Maura's mind raced with ideas. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned the power of her secret magnetic arts, and her hand twisted as she focused intensely on the old man's blood, warping it as she brought it under her control. The old man's body began to contort, and he writhed in pain. “绑定他。紧紧。需要他活着。- Bind him, tightly. Need him alive.” Maura watched as the Grey Ghosts quickly bound him, a bit of metal between his teeth to prevent him from biting his tongue, and bringing a sense of relief to the chaotic scene outside.

Maura swiftly took charge, her mind racing with her plan unfolding mentally. She turned to Wu Long, her voice clear and purposeful. "Now is the time for subtlety, not spectacle. Let the others handle the show" she instructed, nodding towards the pair of Grey Ghosts. "他担保。帮助别人 - We have him under control. Reinforce the others."

As they made their way toward the others, Maura slipped behind the prisoner, concealing her actions as she spoke softly and urgently to him. "你和旅行者一起工作？是则点头。- Do you work with the Traveller? If so, nod your head." With a quick and precise movement, she snapped one of the ropes binding him, hoping he understood her meaning despite any language barrier. She held her breath, waiting for his response.

Mr. Bao didn't seem to understand Maura. Her accent was rather thick. He squinted, trying to, but was happy to start trying to undo his bindings.

Maura waited for Mr Bao's response, watching his face for any signs of recognition or understanding. She tried to keep her voice calm and friendly, hoping to put him at ease.

As she waited, she continued to loosen his bindings, making sure to keep her movements slow and deliberate. She didn't want to alarm him or make him feel like she was trying to trick him.

As it appeared that he wished to speak, she gently started to unfasten the gag preventing him from doing, using the universal sign of ‘sh’ not to drew attention to them. “你和旅行者在一起吗，朋友? - Are you with the Traveller, friend?”

Mr. Bao squinted, pausing for a long moment, and she could all-but physically sense the wheels turning behind his eyes. Then, a dim sort of recognition dawned on his face. "是的！对对对" (Yes! yeah yeah yeah!) he exclaimed in an excited whisper. "我为这个人工作。" (I work for them) He nodded eagerly. "你也是？" (You too?) His voice lowered conspiratorially, expression grateful and desperate and eyes darting about warily at the others, including the Exemplar.

When he nodded in response to her question, she smiled, relieved. She tugged on her ear twice times as she took a deep breath, then continued. “好的，发送消息。今晚。在主要港口集合。- Good. Pass on a message. Tomorrow night. Meet me at the Main Port”

She moved to make eye contact with him, hoping to convey sincerity and trustworthiness with her expressions. She quickly sketched a rough map of the port between them on the stone, gesturing with her hand to indicate its shape. Then, she drew a small X on the map to mark the location of the meeting spot, making sure to emphasize it with a few swift strokes of her finger.

"理解？- Do you understand?" she asked, looking at Mr. Bao expectantly, hoping that he would comprehend the message and not suspect any ulterior motives.

Mr Bao is on guard, sceptical of Maura's intentions. He challenges her with a passphrase, asking her:
"你是什​​么人，你要去哪里？ - Who are you, and where are you going?".
Maura is caught off guard. Thinking quickly, she responds to Mr Bao's inquiry in a calm and measured manner, stating: "我是一名旅行者，我前往需要我的地方 - I'm a traveller and I travel to where I am needed".

Mr. Bao fairly radiated suspicion, but he accepted Maura's answer with a deferential nod. "谢谢你，朋友。这里绝对需要你。你的好意不会被遗忘。" (thank you, friend. You are definitely needed here. Your kindness will not be forgotten.) He paused and managed a tight smile. "我们中很少有人反对政府的压迫。我们没有他们那么强大，但我们会获胜，因为我们的事业是正义的。感谢您意外的帮助。我会把这个交给我的上级。" (Few of us stand against the government's oppression. We are not as powerful as they are, but we will prevail because our cause is just. Thank you for your unexpected help. I will pass this on to my superiors.)

Maura followed through her plan as she loosened the main binding on the old man. Now to cast the die.

"谢谢。谢谢你，船长！你就像他们说的那样坚强," (Thank you. Thank you, captain! You are as strong as they say.) exclaimed Xiulan, but Zhu Kai was on guard again within moments. His eyes, along with those of Wu Long and Trypano, snapped towards a near-distant rooftop. Perched atop it, silhouetted in the dying glow of the recently-set sun, was a tall, lean figure in a mask. White hair flowed from behind it and one could swear there was a smile, though the stoic porcelain face had not visibly changed one bit. "轮到我了," (My turn,) it exclaimed, and then Captain Zhu was lifted into the air. They could feel him drawing massive amounts of energy. The Goldcloak was easily above 8.00 on the RAS, but it was little use. His skin began to peel most grotesquely, but he did not scream. Xiulan was hurled backwards like a ragdoll. Maura was nearly knocked from her wheelchair and her prisoner fell over onto his side. Trypano braced herself and Wu Long held steady, unflinching against the kinetic onslaught. Kaureerah, however, was nowhere to be seen or sensed.

As Maura and Mr Bao were finishing up, an enormous explosion shook the ground and sent them both tumbling to the side. Maura quickly regained her composure, trying to assess and focus on the situation. Her attention was drawn to the crumpled form of Captain Zhu lying on the ground, his body appearing to be peeled like an onion, and clearly in critical condition. She glanced between Mr Bao and Captain Zhu before leaving the prisoner unattended and hurrying over to examine the captain's injuries. With practised ease, she began to use her binding magic to heal him, murmuring reassuring words as she worked. "Stay with us, Captain Zhu" she urged, determined to save him from his injuries.

There was a larger fight happening now, though, and he was knocked onto his side with a yelp. It was after that that Maura found herself headed for someone in far greater need. When she managed a glance over her shoulder in his direction, he was gone. Instead, there was Kaureerah, glaring straight at her. She shook her head, started moving rapidly away, and disappeared

Meanwhile, Wu Long reappeared, his clothes tattered, left arm covered in burns, lip split, and body bloodied in multiple places. His chest heaved with exertion and energy crackled around him. "He was... a freak of nature, or... perhaps not nature," the Exemplar admitted, allowing some of his energy to bleed off as he surveyed the damage surrounding him. Frustrated, he shook his head, muttering curses in Retanese. "Whatever he was, he was strong, though. He had me on... you would say 'the back foot'?"

Help had now arrived, in the form of Red Menders and Orange Caps, and they were already tending to the wounded and ensuring the safety of all nearby persons. Behind them came squads of repairmen, ready to set to work on the plaza. Xiulan fluttered about the group, making sure that they were all attended to and alright. The only ones missing appeared to be Rikard, Kaureerah, and Yalen, and she asked after them frantically as Captain Zhu conferred with his men, including Zhou, who was missing most of his clothes and speaking with incredulous, grateful urgency. "我希望我们至少抓住了一名嫌疑人," (I hope we caught at least one suspect) the Captain grumbled, casting about, but matters were wrapping up now.

Then, as if someone up on high had been listening to him, Yalen and Rikard returned, each with an unconscious prisoner slung over their shoulders. They dumped these unceremoniously at the Exemplar's and Captain Zhu's feet. "Got some badguys for you," The younger of the two students crowed, and Xiulan blushed as she translated. Then: "Anyone has seen Kaureerah? Ze eeaiko girl?" Her voice and bearing were growing increasingly urgent. The songstress was still missing.

Nobody had, it seemed, nobody except Maura, if she was willing to say anything, that was…

As the chaos of the aftermath settled and the injured tended to, the realization dawned on them that Kaureerah was missing. Maura's voice was timid as she spoke up, feeling guilty for the failure to keep track of the old man. "Whilst we were occupied with healing Captain Zhu to save his life, the old man took advantage of the situation and ran away. Kaureerah said she was going to try to look for him for me, as she can run a lot faster."

Yet, the eeaiko remained missing, and nobody else seemed to know very much. For one skilled enough, her familiar signature might've stood out among the humans. Eyes turned to the tethered until Xiulan formalized the request. "Yaren, Abder," Xiulan put it to voice, "Can you find her?"

"We can try." Yalen confirmed. He nodded to Abdel and began the search using his sixth sense.
"She's moving around... that direction." Yalen pointed towards the general direction of the port. "She's moving kind of slowly. Something might be wrong with her."

Abdel crossed his arms, his torso still sore after a good heal, as he reached out with his range. He had more trouble than Yalen to pinpoint her location, “She's hurt.” he remarked, “Very agitated! Like the Skuggvars when they got angry.” worried, her looked toward Yalen, “Should help her?”
With Yalen's approval, Abdel attempted to heal the external wounds with some binding.

It was a few minutes later when Kaureerah appeared around a corner, her walk slightly faster than before. She gave them a tired, reassuring smile and heaved a big sigh of relief, still pawing gingerly at her side. "Hellau, frens!" she chirped. She was still rather beat up. "Eye em very saurry. Eye tried te cetch hem, baut he waus too straun." She shook her head in frustration. "Eye shood bee maur ef e feeghter." She came to a stop in front of them, arms wrapped around herself guiltily, hoping for some healing.

Wu Long exchanged a look with her and he smiled faintly, reassuringly. "You did what you could. These people were very strong. I fear that there are many more of them and they are looking to make a big move soon." he shook his head and addressed them all. "I see the White Knights coming now." He gestured into the distance, to where white-robed figures riding white horses entered the plaza. "They will want statements from you. Then, you should return to your dwellings and rest. If our government does not wish to make use of your talents, then I will," he declared boldly. "Tomorrow will be a busy day."

Maura approached Kaureerah with a remorseful expression on her face. She acknowledged her own mistake, "We should have been more careful watching him. Thank you for trying to fix it." Moving closer, she extended her hands towards Kaureerah in a gesture of goodwill to help heal her up. However, she quickly realized the presence of the boys and gestured towards a more secluded spot. "We perhaps should go somewhere more private, there are boys around." Her tone was hushed and cautious, indicating the need for secrecy in their conversation.

"Et es aukay," the eeaiko responded with an understanding smile. "Eye felled es well." She took Maura's suggestion, too, and they moved some ways from the others. Kaureerah's demeanour didn't change very much, surprisingly. She seemed more... hurt than accusatory. "Eye well bee hauness wet yoo. Eye do naut lek lyeng. Why woold yoo let hem goo? He es a baud men. Wee wuark soo haurd too cetch hem!" Her voice started to rise. "He coold hert peepaul. He hert mee!" She seemed really quite distressed.

Maura listened with empathy, not being quick to reply despite the temptation, to show she was understanding and listening to Kaureerah. "We understand that you're upset and that you don't trust him. But sometimes, in order to catch the big fish, we have to use the smaller ones as bait.” She used a little finger, wiggling it as her other hand came to ensnare it. “If we catch them, we can prevent them from hurting anyone else, including you."

She took a hold of Kaureerah’s hand, bringing it close as she continued her healing. "We understood how you felt, Kaureerah. Seeing Mr. Bao treated that way was difficult in the beginning for me, too. If we had tried to take him by force, like the Grey Ghosts did, it would lead to more violence again and put innocent people at risk. But sometimes in order to catch the bad guys, we have to play a different game. By letting him go, we have the opportunity to track him back to his allies and take down the whole gang on our terms. It's a risky move, but we believe it's the best one for the safety of everyone involved."

"We know how much catching Mr. Bao meant to you, in order to stop innocents from being hurt, and we want to help you achieve that goal, but we have to be strategic in our approach. It's not an easy decision, but it's the right one for the people we're trying to protect."

Kaureerah's expression changed a couple of times as Maura spoke, from distrusting to bemused, to thoughtful, and finally to a reluctant sort of understanding. "Soo then yoo're naut e trauveeler spy?" She breathed a sigh of relief. "Eye woold naut sey enythen, auf coorse. Eye woold give yoo te chence too esplen eet." She glanced about warily and, for a second, the surrounding sound deadened, even though it wasn't something quite so obvious as an antisonic bubble. "Yoo traussed mee wet te trooth. Eye well trauss yoo." She brushed some indigo hair from her face. "Eye hev my dauts eboot thes whool theng, thes goovermen, thes Trauveeler, end eeven eboot saum oof aur teem meembers." She shook her head tightly. "Yoor seecret es sef weth mee aunless yoo doon't waun et te bee."

Maura smiled as she gave a playful grin. “Why do you think we are so loud? Come to my room at lights out tonight to discuss more.”

It was right about then that Qadira yanked Abdel precipitously forward and right up to the two young women who'd been standing and talking in hushed voices. Kaureerah was the first to turn, eyes widening in alarm. She appeared quite afraid of the skuggvar as it tried butting up against her, making eager whining noises and halfheartedly licking and snapping close a spot of dried blood on her skirt. With an animal sort of fear, she began to backpedal.

The animal began to try and nip the skirt as if trying to eat it, though the Eeiako didn't seem keen on letting the Skuggvar do her thing. Still, Qadira would keep on insisting until Abdel intervened, “Did ...” he pointed at her blooded skirt, “you have a fight with him, by any chance?” he reached out to try and stop his beast from continuing its harassment, but it kept on going, albeit without anymore forcefulness than its initial curiosity. It wasn't a whole lot of blood, after all. Low droning noise came from its vibrating body.

Kaureerah nodded frantically. "Se sauk kewool!" she cried. "Se sauk kewooool!" She shook her head to clear it, hiding behind Marua out of some sort of instinct. "Yes! Yes! Eye faught hem! Hee keeked my ess!" She continued to avoid the animal and anyone skilled in internal Chemical magic who could scan her would sense absurd levels of cortisol and adrenaline coursing through the poor eeaiko girl. "Hee waus bleeden froom te beeten hee took befaur!" She let out a little yelp of terror as the eager animal pursued her around Maura, nearly knocking the Torragonese out of her wheelchair. "Plees!! Plees get eet auweey!!"

Abdel, mortified by the reaction of the fish-girl, blurted out a suggestion, “Throw the skirt!” very smooth, “And wash up!” extra smooth. Still, he reached out to tug onto Qadira's unseen leash via bloodwarping.

As Maura and Kaureerah were talking, Abdel's dragon came to rudely interrupt them, and the Eeaiko started running around the chair and using Maura as a shield, “Jump into the water trough to remove the scent.”

Kaureerah did not need to be told twice. She tore the skirt off, revealing stockings of a strange fabric beneath, and bolted for a nearby fountain, diving cleanly into the water, where she felt a good deal safer. "Eye em saurry! Eye cennaut!" She was hyperventilating. "Yoo cen trauck hem! Use te cloothes!" It was at roughly that point that Captain Zhu approached them. "You come wiss me, please. Meet Captain Zhao." He regarded them uncertainly for a moment, the look breaking through his normally authoritative bearing, as if unsure they would understand him, but not quite able to ask.

Qadira hastily scurried toward the ripped skirt and took a few, whiffs before licking it. Abdel hurried to stop her from eating the whole thing. With the Skuggvar now satisfied with its finding and the mark laced with its saliva, it could finally focus on the actual trail.

But before they could go adventuring, they had to meet the illustrious Captain Zhao!

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The Hourglass Order

Whew! Some legit mad scientist cred for Taleja, @Ti. She scary!

@Force and Fury

Thank you.

I know you read the draft, but final is underneath Ayla's in the NPC section. If you and others want to see. I know I shared on the Discord to people.
roleplayerguild.com/posts/5358770

The Hourglass Order

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Event: Observational Study 13 | Location: Ersand'Enise

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Taleja entered the laboratory, moving into the changing area as she dressed in her protective clothing. She carefully donned her white gloves and adjusted her white wig to ensure not even a strand of her hair came into contact with any of the creatures she would be working with. As she approached the dragon enclosure, she reached out to touch the metal grate, checking that it was secure before unlocking the door.

Inside, she was greeted by the sight of several rat-sized dragons, each one with iridescent scales shimmering in the dim light. She cooed at them softly, her voice barely above a whisper, as she checked their food and water bowls. She added a few drops of a special potion to each of their bowls before ringing a small silver bell. The dragons immediately flocked to her, their eyes gleaming with anticipation, as she carefully fed each of them their meal and provided them with some attention.

After she had finished with the dragons, Taleja turned her attention to another task at hand. She took out a small vial of a clear liquid and held it up to the light to inspect its purity, examining it closely. With great care, she measured out a few drops of the liquid into a beaker and added a few drops of another undisclosed substance. She then stirred the mixture with a glass rod, noting the chemical reaction taking place.

As she worked, Taleja remained focused and analytical, her mind sharp and clear. She had a deep appreciation for the beauty of alchemy and the power it held, and she was determined to master it. She made notes upon her slate tablet, attempting to refine the mixture she had in front of her.

One of the dragons began to falter as it became lethargic, weak, and uncoordinated in its movements. Taleja concluded her side-experiment to return to the study as she approached the dragon's cage. She took the slate beside it as she began to write observations. The dragon laid down upon the floor, as it started to vomit. It was wheezing, showing some distress as it had difficulty breathing. She reached inside as she stroked upon the dragon’s cheek, using a modified version of Gaze of Agony to minimize the level of pain it experienced and made it more comfortable for the creature.

She observed how the effects of the paralysis started at the peripheral, with effects similar to the tethering as it spread at a far accelerated rate throughout the body. As it reached the central mass, the creature began to convulse and eventually passed away, succumbing due to respiratory failure. She documented the time of the death, clarifying as she searched for signs of life, before concluding. She moved to place a dark cloth over the other cages before she removed the body from the enclosure, and brought it to her examining table.

Taleja took a blade as she began to cut into the creature as part of the autopsy. She carved, interested in the stomach as she sliced into the flesh to open it. An acrid smell was soon detected in the air, documenting as follows: “Foul and somewhat fishy.” As she finished her observations, one of the other dragons in the cages started to grow agitated as she started to switch her focus. She put the tablet alongside the others on the counter as she went to attend to the cages.

The slate titled Schierling was sat on top of the pile, amongst others similarly formatted, and which held observations previously recorded below. Arsen, Belladonna, Blasenkäfer, Bleiacetat, Quecksilber…

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The Hourglass Order

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Event: Metropolis | Location: Wánggǎng, ReTan

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Xiulan had brought Maura to the tailors as they visited the market as requested the night before where they discussed it in the Inn. The shop was filled with beautiful, ornate hanfu, each with intricate patterns that Maura couldn't help but admire. The fabric was soft to the touch, and she could tell it was made of high-quality silk. Xiulan spoke with the store staff, earning special permission for Maura to be there, despite the looks of disapproval she received from the workers. Maura tried to pep herself up, using positive affirmations to boost her confidence. But even though she knew only a little ReTannese, she could tell that the staff was shaming her for being a cripple. Vamos, Maura, finge hasta que lo logres. She straightened her posture as she continued to look, she had already decided, but these people are going to wait for her, as she admired the handiwork.

Maura prepared herself and finished looking at the hanfu. "Xiulan, we are taking one" she said, her cheeks a little rosy as she flushed with excitement. "We want one suitable for my station, that as Governor of Longwan, and as the Trade Princess of the Ensolin." She pointed to one of the hanfu on display. Maura's eyes sparkled as she envisioned the perfect pattern for her hanfu. "We want it to be reminiscent of Longwan's prosperity and beauty. I want to see the cute little tradeships that dock at the port, the waves of the sea, and the shorelines of Longwan. We want to capture the essence of our beloved island in the design." She gestured towards the hanfu on display, her finger hovering over the intricate patterns. "Something like this, but with a touch of elegance and refinement. Can you make it happen?" She said with a smile. Maura was determined to look her best, even if others judged her based on her disability. She knew that her success would be the ultimate revenge against those who doubted her abilities. "We want people to know who we are before we open our mouth”

With a nod of understanding, Xiulan spoke with the store staff in fluent Rettanese, her words filled with the same authority as Maura's tone. She negotiated on Maura's behalf, using her connections and reputation to secure a fair price for the requested hanfu. As she spoke, Maura watched in admiration at how effortlessly Xiulan appeared to command respect from those around her. Finally, after a few minutes of negotiation, Xiulan turned to Maura with a smile of satisfaction and a nod. It is done, my lady. Maura smiled back in relief, grateful for Xiulan's assistance. "Thank you, Xiulan. We couldn't have done it without you," she said, feeling a sense of warmth at the thought of wearing her own Hanfu with some of her choice design aspects. When in ReTan, dress like a Rettanese, she thought.

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Part 1

Maura watches the display unfolding before her as the Grey Ghosts dragged an old man onto the street, and although she recognizes the strict sense of justice in ReTan, she also sees the danger. This was not Ersand’Enise, and the way people reacted spoke volumes. Kaureerah’s words did not fall on deaf ears, and she found it difficult to keep silent on the topic.

" In any society," she begins, "innocent people can be wrongly accused and mistreated. The value of a legal system lies in its ability to prioritize the welfare of its subjects, rather than simply enforcing the law to avoid an injustice that should not occur."

Noticed the eyes started to turn in her direction as she spoke, as she glanced back to Kaureerah, then glanced away as she advocated her point to perhaps explore alternatives. “Take this man, he may, or may not, know where his master is. Given a situation where he does not know, and his honest answer is rejected, then what option does he have? In this circumstance, an innocent person being punished or intimidated would do more harm than good, as he would be liable to provide a false confession, wasting time and resources better spent elsewhere.”

Maura pivots the conversation towards their mission and task-in-hand, emphasizing their abilities as assets rather than mere pawns. “While this matter may not directly involve our intervention, we are here because you seek to deal with a foreign enemy who does not adhere to the ReTan way. Our perspective may be useful. Given your comments on the duality of both demonstration and being opaque in society, we imagine this show before us is not to find this man’s master, but to demonstrate to those present what happens if you do not cooperate. The guilt and innocence of this man is irrelevant to the goal. The brutality of these Grey Ghosts is using fear to keep people in check."

Maura then makes a bold statement. "This may have worked for hundreds of years, ensuring peace and prosperity in these lands, but something has changed. The arrival of the Traveller has upset the balance of power in these lands." She looks around the room, meeting each person's gaze in turn. "When you chase a rat, it runs away. But when the rat is stuck in a corner and has nowhere to run, it is forced to strike. Your Grey Ghosts can take down a rat. But the Traveller can turn those rats into lions, and maybe some into dragons. How many lions can those Grey Ghosts take down? The Traveller's plan is to incite rebellion and chaos, and turn ReTan into a swarm of lion-sized rats. Is that really what you want?”

As Abdel offered to use his skills to investigate, Maura nodded toward him in approval of his words. She offered him a sweet smile at his suggestion. Meanwhile, Niallus spoke up. "How is this justice? How can this violence be just beat him in public, just to set an example? What happens if you are innocent after a beating like this, if you don't mind me asking you?" Maura wrinkled her face at Niallus's response, as she chided him, "That's a bit like the Eskandish practice of Blood Eagle or public executions. It's not our place to judge others when our own cultures have its share of perceived unjust practices. Don't throw stones in glass houses."

"You may be right," Wu Long answered Maura, "or you may completely misunderstand this nation and situation as an outsider." The Exemplar clasped his hands behind his back, and there was a sharpness to him now, his eyes fixed on the distant commotion. He began stalking forward and both Captain Zhu's men and Xiulan backed hurriedly out of his path. "Regardless, that is precisely why you have been brought here: to equip us with a new perspective."

He motioned for the others to rise as he appeared to listen absently to Abdel's offer of assistance. "You are all welcome to exercise your skills in the service of what is right. I shall provide you with my utmost attention in observance."

Then, Niallus spoke, and he spoke with unequivocal accusation in his voice: an accusation leveled not just at the figures in the grey uniforms but, it seemed, at the entirety of Retanese society, without even knowing it. For his part, Wu Long seemed only mildly amused. "How is it that one might so readily mistrust what one does not yet even know?" An enigmatic expression creased his lips and animated his eyes. "Do you believe that these Guardians lie? That, by extension, the government of Retan lies?"

Maura was quick to rebuke her fellow biro as well, and this, the Exemplar found more interesting still. "And the burning of cities and genocide of the Zaqhory people does not place you in a glass house as well?" Wu Long questioned. He came to a halt in the plaza, within view of the Grey Ghosts, his ornate robes flapping in the stiff rezain breeze. "An individual is more than the people that they come from. This is something I have learned and that you must. You wish to distance yourself from his reply, but do you do so out of genuine disapproval or out of fear that you will be tarnished by association in the eyes of your hosts?" He shook his head. "I judge, but not in the way that you think."

Maura nodded respectfully in response to Wu Long's reply and said, "Acts can be described as either genocide or a people's salvation, depending on one's perspective. What may seem cruel to one can appear just to another. We recognize such matters dialectically, acknowledging their dual nature."

She smiled sweetly but apologetically as she lifted her head. ""We apologize for my insensitive comment earlier. My intention was not to distance myself from Niallus's reply out of fear, but rather to express my disapproval in a way that was misguided and inappropriate. We appreciate your perspective."

The Exemplar said nothing as the youths continued to speak. He had formed his opinions, to this point, and they might form further in the future. For now, however, came the offers of their skills, and he would give them his full attention.

Some of the guardians were taking notice of the Exemplar now, and of the foreigners who travelled with him. All six paused in their... aggressive questioning and bowed stiffly and promptly at the waist. "Exemplar Wu," said the woman in Retanese. Xiulan had scampered up behind them, and she translated quietly.

"Lady Yang."

"To what do we owe this honour?"

"Our visitors would like to take this opportunity to demonstrate their skills."

For a moment, the grey-uniformed woman froze, and there was a hint of something nasty and resentful and exasperated in her eyes as they flicked in the students' direction. "Perhaps as soon as we conclude this questioning?"

Wu Long paused, thoughtful, for a moment. "Mmm... perhaps now."

For a moment, it looked as if she wanted to say more. Those observant enough might notice her visibly stiffen at his words. Then, she barked some orders at her men, bowed - stiffly again - and gestured the foreign cohort forward. "As you command, Exemplar of Creation and Destruction."

Yalen, stepped up at this point to lead the questioning of the old man, listening in as Xiulan translated. "She says he's master lets some criminal stay zere and hides it from the government.". Maura mused at the statement, "A foreign criminal?"

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The Hourglass Order

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Event: Primitive | Location: Zarfan, Torragon

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♫

Ayla and Marci were frantically trying to push the heavy door closed, but the beetles were hot on their heels. The door was old and warped, and it resisted their efforts to shut it. Sweat beads on their foreheads as they strained against the door, their muscles trembling with exertion. The sound of the beetles grew louder and more frenzied, and Ayla can feel as if their hot breath was against her neck. With her back against the door, she glanced over her shoulder through the gap as she saw the swarm closing in, their mandibles snapping hungrily. With a burst of strength, she shoved the door to shut it, but it only budged a fraction of an inch. Marci screamed as one of the beetles nips at her heel, and Ayla gritted her teeth in determination. They couldn't give up now, not when they were so close to safety. Bracing her feet against the ground, Ayla put all her weight behind the door, while Marci scrambled to help. The beetle swarm was almost upon them, and Ayla heard awful snapping and clicking through the crack in the door. She felt a surge of panic, but couldn't let it overcome her. Channelling all her fear into one final push, the door slammed shut with a deafening boom. The beetles screeched in frustration, their bodies slamming into the stone barrier. For a moment, Ayla and Marci stood there, panting and trembling, listening to the furious buzzing of the beetles on the other side. The door held, for now. But Ayla knew they couldn't rest for long, as there were more on the path ahead.

As the beetles closed in on Ayla and Marci, Ayla knew she had to act fast. She reached for her flute, took a deep breath to calm her racing heart, and began to play. A low and mournful melody at first, but gradually building in intensity, the sound waves collided with the beetles, destabilizing them and driving them back. The swarm writhed and twisted in the air, confused and disoriented by the assault on their senses. Ayla continued to play, the notes of her flute weaving a complex and beautiful pattern in the air as she directed the sonic magic to push the beetles further away. As she played, she focused her mind on her sonic magic, feeling the power flow through her fingertips. She changed the notes, moving them higher and higher until they became a piercing, high-pitched frequency that cut through the air like a knife. A couple dozen of the creatures fell from the air, buying some time, but there were still thousands heading in their direction.

The attacks were relentless, Ayla crushed three of the beetles that landed on her midsection, feeling a momentary sense of relief. However, her victory was short-lived, as the fourth and hidden beetle suddenly flared and self-destructed. The blast sent Ayla flying, and she landed on the ground, groaning in pain. Struggling to get back on her feet, Ayla found the pain too intense. Marci rushed over to her, attempting to patch up her wounds with binding magic. "Nine lives, Kitty Cat! Come on!" Ayla winced as Marci's quick work left her with a wound that would need to be redone later. Despite the pain, Ayla forced herself to stand up. She couldn't afford to stay down, not when they were still being pursued by the relentless swarm of beetles. With a determined look in her eyes, she readied her flute once again, determined to keep the swarm at bay.

As they journeyed and pushed forward, they eventually entered into a vast chamber as their senses were suddenly overwhelmed by its grandeur and immensity. The air is thick with the scent of dust and ancient stone, and their footsteps echo hollowly against the hard ground. As Marci brightened her light, the darkness receded, revealing the imposing structures that surrounded the girls. The outlines of houses, palaces, and ziggurats emerge from the shadows, their forms massive and imposing. They seem to stretch endlessly upwards, reaching towards the distant ceiling of the chamber. They loom in the cavernous depths like giants, casting deep shadows that seem to pulse and writhe. Their details are shrouded in mystery, hidden by the murky atmosphere and the passage of time. The very air seems to hold secrets, whispering tales of the long-forgotten ancient Zaqhory civilization and the mysteries they left behind. The darkness seemed to threaten to overwhelm them with its weight and enormity.

As the beetles started to close in through one of the side entrances, their frenzied buzzing grew louder and more intense. Marci's eyes narrowed as she focused her magic, calling forth a crackling bolt of lightning that blazed through the air, striking the swarm with deadly accuracy. The beetles writhed and twitched as they were electrocuted, but their numbers were still too great. They pressed on, their mandibles snapping hungrily as they closed in on their prey. Ayla's heart raced as she watched the beetles draw nearer, their bodies writhing and twisting in the air like a swarm of angry hornets. She knew they were in trouble, but she refused to give up and with determination in her eyes. With a fierce roar, Ayla whipped her hair around, the thick curls lashing out like a whip. The beetles screeched in fury as they were struck, their bodies tumbling through the air. Ayla continued to lash out, her hair flying in all directions as she drove the beetles back. But even as she fought, Ayla knew that they couldn't hold out forever. She watched in horror as several of the beetles self-destructed, their bodies exploding in a burst of fire and shrapnel. A wave of heat washed over her, and she felt her hair singe and burn as the flames licked at her skin. With a desperate cry, Ayla shielded herself and Marci with her hair, using it as a barrier against the fiery onslaught. The strands hissed and crackled as they were consumed by the flames, but they held fast, protecting the pair from harm. When the smoke cleared and the danger had passed, Ayla lowered her hair, gasping for breath. She felt her scalp stinging, and when she touched her hair, she could feel that it was badly burnt. The once-beautiful waist-length curls were now ragged and singed, barely reaching her shoulders. But Ayla knew that her sacrifice had been worth it, for they had survived.

Ayla's heart jumped as she caught sight of the arrow, guiding her towards the double doors ahead. Beyond them, she knew, was the temporal magic that could only have been left behind by Jocasta they had been searching for. However, her excitement was short-lived as she heard Marci collapse behind her. The swarm was upon them, and Marci's screams echoed in her ears. Ayla was frozen, torn between her own safety and that of her friend. She felt utterly powerless, tears streaming down her face as the water formed into blue flame. She looked at her hands, watching as the fire pooled within them as an idea formed in her mind. More of Ayla's body started to erupt into blue flame, along the length of sweat drenched clothing. With newfound strength, Ayla charged towards Marci and the swarm of beetles threatening to engulf her. The intense blue flame radiating from Ayla's body as she disappeared into the body of the swarm, replaced by a darkness as she appeared to have consumed. There was silence for a brief moment before she created an explosion, sending the beetles flying away as molten slag. "You have flight, so fly, you fool!" Ayla shouted, urging Marci to flee towards the door. But Ayla knew she couldn't hold them off forever. She continued to fight back with all her pyromancer might, pushing back the tendrils of the swarm as she shielded Marci. The dry heat of the ruin was causing the water to evaporate faster than she could reuse it, and Ayla could feel her strength waning. "Hold the door!" she yelled, using the last of her strength to propel herself towards it.

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The Hourglass Order

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Event: Castle Mandelein | Location: Mandelein, Kerremand

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Ashon approached the herbalist healer’s house. He would have had assumed Casii took an interest here, but the shop next door was far more exciting for her and Cal, and it wouldn’t be fair to deprive them of that. As he approached the herbalist's house, it was easy to tell that the locals respected the building with a sense of reverence. It is an old building which is not in keeping with the more modern surrounding ones, speaking of how within its walls lies the healing knowledge of centuries past. The shop itself is a small, humble abode, with a thatched roof and wooden shutters on the windows. A small garden lies out front which extends around the side and far behind it was bursting with a variety of herbs, flowers, and plants.

He enters as the rich scent of dried herbs fills his senses, passing through the beads at the entrance to help keep out insects, as he is greeted by the sight of shelves lining the walls, filled to the brim with various jars and containers of herbs and remedies. The shelves themselves are made of rough-hewn wood, and each one is labelled in spidery handwriting, denoting the contents within.

The shop appeared to be presently empty as he began to browse the interior. He moved to pick up a jar of dried chamomile flowers, peering through the glass as he read the note which appeared to imply these were perfect for soothing stomach pains and promoting restful sleep. He inspected a bunch of fresh mint, as he breathed in the crisp aroma, similarly a note said about aiding digestion and freshening breath, as he thought about Penny for a moment, taking a leaf and chewing upon it. The pot next to it was pungent in its fragrance, the note describing it as rosemary, which can help stop wounds from becoming infected and also aid memory retention. In the corner, stood a bundle of sage, which was perfect for burning to purify the air or to soothe sore throats when brewed as a tea. Next to it, a jar of goldenrod, which is used to treat respiratory infections and inflammation, whilst laying to the side of it, a bundle of dried lavender, which is commonly used to aid in relaxation and promote calmness.

As Ashon wanders further into the herbalist's abode, he notices that even the walls were adorned with wreaths of dried flowers and herbs, hung in various places throughout the house. He spied a bunch of St. John's wort, the note describing its use for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to treat depression and anxiety, as a small pot of Echinacea, perfect for boosting the immune system, sits on a nearby table. Whoever ran this place, it is clear, it was a treasure trove of healing remedies and natural cures. Every shelf, every corner, is filled to the brim with the wisdom of nature.

The herbalist enters through from a rear and approached Ashon with a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye. She pauses for a moment, taking in his presence, and then speaks in a soft, yet enigmatic voice in native Kerreman: "Welcome, dear traveller. You've come to the right place, but perhaps not for what you seek. The secrets of nature are hidden deep, but fear not, for I am here to guide you. Let the winds of change carry you to what you truly need."

Ashon raised his eyebrow to the woman, regarding her presence as he adopted a wide sincere grin, “Oh wise one, fear not, I come seeking not only herbs, but also wisdom from a great one such as yourself."

“He who seeks answers must be willing to look beyond the surface. So too must he who seeks healing look beyond the leaves and roots. Come, see what I have prepared for those who seek more than just the ingredients." She cast her hand to the collection of made potions as she started to pick and describe the use of each one.

“I am a potion of green and gold, I cure the body and make it bold. From a wound, I'll stop the bleeding, and help you get back to eating.”
Healing potion: This potion is made from a blend of herbs that promote healing, such as yarrow, chamomile, and comfrey. When consumed, it can help to heal wounds and injuries, and can even be effective against some illnesses.

“When dreams elude you and slumber seems far, This potion of roots shall help you reach the stars. Its scent is pungent, its taste is strong, But drink it down and sleep will come along.”
Sleep potion: This potion is made from a blend of herbs that promote relaxation and sleep, such as valerian root, lavender, and passionflower. It can be useful for people who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or for those who need help calming down after a stressful day.

"I am a brew of purple and blue, a potion that can mend bones anew. I'll take away the pain and strife, and let you live a happy life."
Pain relief potion: This potion is made from a blend of herbs that can help to alleviate pain and inflammation, such as willow bark, ginger, and turmeric. It can be useful for people who suffer from chronic pain, as well as for those who have acute pain due to injury or illness.

“I am warm and spicy, But don't be hasty. Drink me slow, And your digestion will glow.”
Digestive potion: This potion is made from a blend of herbs that can help to soothe and improve digestion, such as peppermint, fennel, and ginger. It can be useful for people who suffer from indigestion, bloating, or other digestive issues.

“I am a potion made of dark purple hue, With elderberry, I'm perfect for you. Drink me up and I'll help you fight, Against the illness, I'll make things right.”
Immune-boosting potion: This potion is made from a blend of herbs that can help to strengthen the immune system, such as echinacea, elderberry, and astragalus. It can be useful for people who are prone to getting sick, or for those who are recovering from an illness or infection.

Ashon was rather impressed with the knowledge and collection. He had some knowledge through his alchemy class, but seeing it within this environment was something different, it inspired him to learn more. It was when he spied upon two vials which were not offered in the corner. “I see you have a corner with potions, may I know what is in those?”

She looked toward him in a questioning manner, ”Skuggvar”. As her hands moved over to the two vials, grasping a hold of them. “The one that brings life is as bitter as death, and the one that brings death is as sweet as life.” Shaking the pair of vials in front of his eyes.

After some haggling and negotiation, he arranged to stock potion supplies for the party, including the Skuggvar vials, and paid a princely sum in local currency with a few bennies thrown in to bulk up the amount. After both parties seemed satisfied, he picked up the basket to return to the inn.

It was when he put down his lucky stick against the counter, the woman started to cuss and curse at him. “Your walking stick is of cursed wood, it brings bad luck to those who wield it with good. Take it far from here, lest the curse follow and harm us all here.”

He awkwardly picked up his stick, scratching his back with it, dismissing the woman's concerns as he started to walk off from the shop. As he approached the door, he noticed the woman throw something at him. “It carries the stench of death, it draws dark spirits near. Keep it close, and they'll take you with them!” A ward against dark spirits? He caught it as he inspected the bag of powdered Plushtail, placing that in his pocket for later.

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The Hourglass Order

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Event: Metropolis | Location: Wánggǎng, ReTan

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Maura bit into the bao bun, finding it to be very delicious, as the steamed dough was soft like cotton with a seasoned meat filling. She picked up another of the buns with the chopsticks as she leaned over toward Abdel, presenting with her hand to prevent it from falling. “Say ‘Awh’ ~” she brought the delight toward the boy's mouth, so he may enjoy it as well.

She started to begin some small talk with the others, especially Blossom and the Inn-Keeper's daughter, as she attempted to use their goodwill for further useful information she may benefit from.

“Wánggǎng holds much interest for me, so does greater ReTan too. We are very fortunate to be here, especially to enjoy this authentic cuisine, far better than what is found in Ersand’Enise which pales in comparison using our local ingredients.” She mulled for a moment as she tried to say it in ReTanese for them. “大包很好吃。比 Ersand'Enise 好。” She looked toward Blossom, gauging the woman's opinion of her attempt of translation.

Maura started to ask about local delicacies, trade, and shipping, making mental notes. “Is there a harbour, a port, nearby? We love looking at the boats.” She looked hopeful toward them, wishing to enlist their aid with her request. “船在哪里?”

"We have same interest for your country here!" Xiulan replied cheerily, but she soon lost the thread of what the tethered girl was saying. Auth... Aunetic? Pales? Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, for she was a poor translator, and she took another sip of her drink. "Oh, you know some Retanese!" Xiulan cheered, saved from having to pretend any further. She clapped a little bit.

Yin, meanwhile, smiled at the attempts, grateful for being included. Aside from her sudden enthusiasm towards the dragons, however, she was more reserved than her peer.

Finally, they came upon the subject of the port. It was strange, thought the translator, that Maura used 'we', but she knew Avincian much better than her Retanese counterpart, and so Xiulan deferred, of course. "Hmmm, port?" she responded. "We have many ports." She began listing them, ticking off one after another on her fingers. "Zere is a main port not zat far from where walked. I believe you can see it? Zere is king's port close to zere for special sings. We have port for foreigner only. There is fishing port too!" She plucked another dumpling with her chopsticks. "I sink you will see some of zis tomorrow, actually."

Maura smiled as she thought of something, "Nothing as compared to you. 我的语言是托拉贡语 (My language is Torragonese)". She coughed for a moment to clear her throat, as she switched to her native tongue. "Hola soy Maura". She spoke to them in her own tongue, some basic introductions to demonstrate it. The language is far more beautiful than Avincian, with its more charming and pleasant rich sounds. Goal to build more good will and endearment. She soon shared a little about her home.

"My hometown is Varrahasta, a beautiful city that stretches out into the sea due to the number of boats. 小船隔海将城市延伸到地平线". She attempted some poet expression in the local language, to help give the mental image of boats to the horizon. Her eyes cast between them as she smiled sweetly. Nothing better than the image of a sweet lil' helpless girl who is homesick. "We find that the gentle rocking of the boats help sleep at night. The sound of the water lapping against them is peaceful. 船有助于睡眠"

There is something that itch her mind though, the difference between the main port and foreigner port. Her instinct is to assume taxation, though they are being confined to what is termed the foreigner district. It seems the culture here is far more isolating in particular than back home. “What makes someone a foreigner, and someone not a foreigner?” Whilst it may seem a simple question on the surface, she attempts to tease out the details during the conversation.

Xiulan was well into her cups and quite oblivious at this point. "Oh, I'm from an inland city myself," she chirped. "But your country sounds so interesting!"

Then, Maura kept going, and Xiulan arched an eyebrow and scowled in thought. "Well, I don't know what government said, but the foreigner is someone not be born in your country." She shrugged innocently and took another sip of her drink. This foreign girl used 'we' when she talked, and far be it from a Retanese to question her speech, but wasn't that for more than one person? She blinked. Wait! The 'royal we!' What if she's royal!? It would explain so much: why she was pretending to be a merchant, why she was so well-educated, why she was an invalid but allowed outside the home! That must have been it! The translator swallowed, trying to hide her nervousness. "So, what do you want to know about ze docks?" she asked helpfully. "I can accompany you, zere," she further offered.

Maura arched an eyebrow at the response as she noticed a switch in tone. The docks appeared to be making her feel very uncomfortable, perhaps worthy of a solo adventure. She paused for a moment as she began to switch subjects. “Well… there is something that has been bothering me a lot. Maybe you help us tomorrow?”. She raised her eyebrows as she adopted that puppy-eyed look. “You see, due to being foreigners, we are not adopting the appropriate Hanfu and this makes us stick out. Could you assist us by taking us to a tailor or clothing store?” As she canned the others, she tried to recall the different words. “Those are Nobles… so they should wear Beizi and Pifeng? The others would wear an Aoqun and Shanku? Kaureerah is a Yiji, so something fitting her station of the arts. Yalen would wear a suitable Daopao.” Maura started to point everyone out, and assigned them to the categories as she understood them, with Niallus and Abdel falling under the military as well, to permit their heavier hand in the future. Maura paused after pointing out the rest, as she considered her next question. “We… govern an Island, and represent my country's interest. What would be suitable for me to wear?” The conversation continued as things grew later into the night.

Maura, due to necessity, was assigned a room on the ground floor, which suited her perfectly. With a peck upon Abdel’s cheek as she bid him goodnight with a sweet smile, they parted for the evening. She would have loved to bring him along, but it might have been too much for what she had planned.

Dressing up appropriately from clothes she could find to fit in better with the surrounding ReTan people, she started to edge her way toward the rear entrance as he noticed the guard. A small hurdle as she does the elementary distraction technique. With the use of her magic, a little vase fell over and smashed. The guard’s ears pricked as he looked around the area, approaching the location with the tune of shi shui (是谁) leaving his lips. She simply rolled on through the door, the low quiet rolling sound and not the pitter-patter of footsteps the others would have left as she made it into the streets outside.

Thankfully, her conversation with Xiulan aided her direction as she oriented herself to the path taken to arrive at the inn and, like the girl said, she could make out the sight of it from where she was. “Time to have a better look without the Nannies breathing down our necks.” She rolled through the streets toward her destination.

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