Something Wicker This Way Comes - Baarak

[Wired*Nun]

A full breakfast still sitting somewhat heavy in his gut, Baarak strides strongly across the moors. The wind is brisk, but not too chill, the sun peeking occasionally between low scudding clouds. Mists hug the ground, winding among the rocky ruins of some ancient shepherd's huts and pens. A hound follows him along, ranging left and right, not because it is his, but because it is right for this place.

Heading for somewhere, Baarak finds himself of divided mind. On the one hand, there is pleasure aplenty awaiting him in Twixorami...duels by day, nastiness by night, and everything in between. On the other hand, the thought of the great unwashed is making him faintly ill, the clean, clear open spaces attractive right now.

One thing is for sure, if I keep walking through Shadow long enough, the decision will be made for me, if only by my subconscious...

As if in response to that idle thought, there comes a faint crunching sound from far behind him, and a woof from the hound as it stops, looking backward. Hand on his blade, Baarak turns smoothly to see what caught the dog's attention.

A figure is lurching in his wake, some hundred yards or so back. Manlike, it seems to be a scarecrow of sorts, with straw sticking out of its sleeves and joints where none should be. He is reminded of a year spent on Shadow Earth, watching B-grade horror movies.

The dog begins to bark, loudly, and backs slowly away from the shambling apparition.

[jedric]

His cupidity aroused he decides against simply shifting away from this place. The strangeness of the sight causes a brief rueful smile to appear on Baarak’s face.

The Wizard of Oz meets Pumpkinhead! How strange, I wonder if a spirit animates this thing or if its an automaton controlled from elsewhere? Could this be the local form of life?

Shaking his head Baarak quickly gives Rayk the command, “Guard.”

The hound moves to a heel position, becoming silent and watching the scarecrow, he quiveres in a mixture of fear and excitement.

Baarak draws his blade, he feels it better to be ready, there is a time and place for trust and while this might be a friendly scarecrow, Baarak does not choose to take such chances.

Not today thank you!

His mind goes back to the incident with the giant slug creature and the beautiful blond maiden. Baarak had arrived to see the beast menacing a terrified semi-naked young woman. He’d killed the beast of course, quite a difficult job too, only to find that the blond was actually a shapeshifting sorceress who had earlier transformed an innocent young warrior into the said beast, and as such Baarak had inadvertently killed the victim. The sorceress had then tried a binding spell on Baarak, she’d died of course, so there was at least some small measure of justice to the affair.

He takes several backward steps, slowly, carefully, and calls out.

“Hold there, if you be friendly stand and explain yourself!”

As he does so he begins bringing the sign of the Pattern to mind, meanwhile assessing the vulnerabilities of this bundle of twigs and hay.

Let’s take a proper look, what are you?

OOC: I’m assuming the hound [Rayk) responds to vocal commands such as Heel, guard, sit, stay, attack

[Wired*Nun]

OOC: I’m assuming the hound [Rayk) responds to vocal commands such as Heel, guard, sit, stay, attack

[If you want him to - what's the point of being a Lord of Shadow if you can't command a dog...]

[Wired*Nun]

The thing doesn't pause in its advance, moving surprisingly quickly. Without hesitation it lurches up to him and makes a clumsy attempt to grab him with its wicker arms.

[jedric]

As the scarecrows stumbles toward him Baarak sighs and steps to the side, he whistles to the dog to get it moving too.

A the straw man comes near Baarak aims a blow at its thigh with his blade, whilst simultanteously attempting to shove it with his off-hand.

OOC:

[If you want him to - what's the point of being a Lord of Shadow if you can't command a dog...]

Dunno, the issue has never come up before! :KO:

[Wired*Nun]

The blade passes through the thing's thigh without much resistance, and it falls over. Still, as if animated by some malevolent spirit, it keeps trying to come for him.

[jedric]

With a wry smile Baarak circles just out of reach.

"Persistent bugger aren't you?" he comments.

When he is ready he strikes at the scarecrows arm, he goes for the arm on the same side as the damaged leg, his intent to disable both limbs and thereby cripple it.

[Assuming this is effective] He steps out of range and brings the sign of the Pattern to mind in order to examine the scarecrow on the metaphysical level.

[Wired*Nun]

After chopping the thing to all necessary bits, accompanied by growlings from the hound, Baarak begins to raise the Sign. Before this is completed, he sees two figures coming down the path. Both look like the thing he just dismembered. He should be able to bring up the Sign completely before they arrive, if they are no faster than the last thing.

So it resolves. The Sign hangs before him, a twisting fire in his minds' eye. Through the Sign, he can see some energies animating the straw and wicker golems. The next question is, as always, what to do, as they approach.

[jedric]

Interesting! Magical energy? But are they guided?

Baarak watches the scarecrows walk toward him and looks for any sign of an energy link, some sort of master control. If there is none he must assume they are semi-autonomous, sent out with set commands and left to fend for themselves rather than directly controlled.

As they approach he will be ready to disable each of them should the need arise.

"Stubbornness... It'll get me killed some day!" he comments quietly to himself or perhaps the dog.

[Wired*Nun]

Even with the Sign up, he can easily dismember these two as well, watching for their energy construction. They are clumsy and seemingly not self-aware.

They seem to be animated by some strange energy which he has never seen before - it is not sorcery, or at least, nothing he has ever experienced. It is not Logrus, he thinks - his father showed him some samples of that once upon a time. It is certainly not Pattern. What does that leave? Something else...

Examining the three in bits before him, it doesn't take long before he sees four coming down that same path, behind him, as if following. This is beginning to get tiresome...on the other hand, Dad always said to learn as much as you can from each new situation...

[jedric]

His interest piqued once again Baarak changes his course slightly to see the reaction of the four scarecrows, their progressive increase in numbers is not lost on him.

Should they change their course to match his own he performs a circular course and heads towards the point he believes they heigh from. As he moves he hums the tune to the Green Bottle song whilst muttering slightly different lyrics.

“Four Scuzzy Scarecrows, shambling before a fall…”

If he is unsure of the exact location/direction he will slow and then disable the four constructs, then wait for more to appear thereby gaining a better idea of their point of origin.

[Wired*Nun]

He hacks up the four without too much difficulty, still maintaining the Sign before him. The energy animating the golems seems to dissapate when they are dismembered.

Looking back along his path, he observes the more-or-less expected eight shambling wicker men fade into reality along the path, clearly entering this shadow from another, probably following his shadow trail.

[jedric]

Baarak's casual interest gives way to concern, perhaps a hint of fear or worry.

So, I am followed, time enough later to find who sent them. They are no threat to me individually, but if they double in number every time I smash them then I'll soon be facing a hundred or so of the damn things. Let's see if they can follow me through shadow.

He quickly turns about and begins a short shift through shadow, away from this place, the hound at his heel as he jogs easily along, aiming for a more mountainous place and some sunlight, a bright blue sky'ed day in the mountains.

Baarak only pauses to check behind him when the shift is completed to his satisfaction.

[Wired*Nun]

Baarak easily outdistances his pursuers, oddly glad of the companionship of his newly-acquired hound, so reminiscent of one he had so long ago. Of what use is a pet, I don't need any such thing, he thinks somewhat angrily, then dismisses the thought as unworthy. It's not a sign of weakness...as long as I don't value it too much.

Arriving at his destination, he sees nothing and no one out of place.

[jedric]

Walking slowly along the mountain trails Baarak glances back occassionally to see if the scarecrows reappear.

Seems strange, I wonder if they were after me at all, or perhaps they are but move at a set pace.

He sits atop a rock to think for a minute or two.

Common sense dictates I go on, but I don't want to leave a mystery behind me. Should I go back? Find the origin of these things? Should I just go on? What if they were sent to capture me, or was I just in the wrong place at the wrong time, their mission to capture a living victim? ... I'll go back, I'll be wondering about this for the next fifty years else.

His mind made up Baarak grins and whistles to Rayk.

"Come on lad, lets go scare a few scarecrows."

[Wired*Nun]

As soon as he heads back, the eight golems reappear. They seem to have been following him, albeit slowly. They spread out slightly and head directly for him.

[jedric]

"Predictable devils aren't they boy?" Baarak asks the dog rhetorically.

He turns and sets off matching the speed of the golems and carefully shifting shadow toward canyons and caves.

Carefully he leads the golems through shadow to a cavern with a shallow slope as the only means of exit, once he and Rayk reach the top Baarak performs a short sharp twist of shadow aiming to cave the slope in and leave the golems trapped at the borrom of a pit.

Let's see if they can get out of that

[Wired*Nun]

The golems mill around endlessly, trying to climb out, but not able to. The wind blows. The grass grows.

[jedric]

Baarak leans forward to watch the scarecrows for moment.

"Enjoy you dance my friends, I'm of to search for the Crow Man."

If there is a Crow Man! I cannot allow this, I must know if this is chance or I am in danger

Baarak pats Rayk on the head and comments, "Come lad, let us go."

With that he sets off again, carefully doubling back thorugh shadow and attempting to reverse the scarecrows' course, he tries to track their trail back to the point of origin.

[Wired*Nun]

It is not long after he is out of shadow range of the trapped golems that he sees a double squad of figures - sixteen, what a surprise - heading toward him in a spread line, as if following his shadow trail.

[jedric]

Well I'll be damned to Chaos and back. I was expecting too much for it to be that easy I suppose. Well lets go through 'em.

"Up and at 'em Frayk." he calls as he breaks into a run, gathering the stuff of shadow about him he begins to shift drawing Frayk along with him, gathering speed, moving faster, gathering momentum willing thechanges to come faster and more frantically.

As he draws near the line of golems he draws his sword and lays about him, left and right, as he rushes through and continues his movement into a full-fledged hellrun.

OOC: I'd like to increase the size and toughness of the hound too as part of the hellrun. That OK?

Baarak heading back to where he encountered the first scarecrow. From there he'll try following its shadow trail if at all possible.

[Wired*Nun]

The ground shifts under him, Frayk growing in limb, tooth and claw, looking more and more like the hellhound Baarak wants. The ground flattens, the air moistens, and soon he is panting, walking back down the moor path where he first found the critters.

Following its shadow trail backward, he finds it enters a low cavemouth in the side of a round hill. On the top of the hill is a small stone circle, such as he has seen in different places about this shadow. Some kind of place of worship, or calendar, for these primitive peoples...druids and wickers and moors, oh, my... The cavemouth shows fresh footprints going in and out, as well as the marks of wicker feet leaving the cave. The floor is flattened, as if by routine use, and he can see that the cave's sides have been smoothed somewhat. The smell of wood smoke hangs in the air.

[jedric]

Baarak pauses just outside of the stone circle.

A little caution here I think, someone or something inside but is this a snare I wonder?

Relaxing his mind Baarak calls up the image of the Pattern once again.

If there are no discernible signs of dangerous magic or other power he enters the cave cautiously, leaving Frayk outside as a guard. If there are he will try to figure how to nullify them.

[Wired*Nun]

The Pattern reveals some kind of power source deep in the hill, something he has never seen before. It matches the energy of whatever is animating the wicker men. There is nothing immediately by the cave mouth that seems dangerous.

[jedric]

Baarak carefully enters the cave, sword in hand and Pattern sign raised [if feasible]. The hound he leaves on guard outside.

[Wired*Nun]

Blade held downward, Pattern fiery in his mind's eye, and before him, Baarak slides noiselessly into the cave. The floor slopes gently down, with no twists or obstacles. It does seem to go down a long way - much farther than the hill would suggest. He must be heading deep underground.

Soon, it is completely dark. The mystic glow of the power source somewhere in front of him allows him to navigate, barely, only because the cave walls seem to be infused with some mystic reflection or refraction. He is reminded of walking through Tir'na N'ogth so long ago.

A light ahead resolves itself into flickers, then green man-shapes. As they come upon him, he is able to perceive more man-shapes, filling the corridor in front of him, shambling forward, glowing a faint green with animating energies.

[jedric]

Baarak emits a sound part sigh part gowl.

"Damn it!" he exclaims.

These things are no threat individually or in small groups, but so many in so cramped a space?

Quickly but carefully he begins to cast a spell. Preparing his mind he makes the appropriate gestures and begins to utter the lynchpins for his Blade Storm spell.

[lynchpins * 3, bolt of razor sharp shards of metal, target, as far down the corridor as he can see or beyond if he can extrapolate]

[Wired*Nun]

Releasing the Pattern lens from his mind's eye so as to cast the spell, he reaches quickly for the spell hung on its structure, and sends the Blade Storm down the corridor ahead of him. The sound of destruction is as satisfying as it is terrible, but afterwards he finds himself in utter darkness.

He shares the blackness with a myriad of small rustling, popping, scratching sounds, as of ten thousand cockroaches, approaching him from the front. Damn...what if the bits and pieces are still trying to reach me...blind as a bat and twice as vulnerable...

[jedric]

"Damn it!" Baarak repeats himself in the dark.

Quickly he decides to back off, as he does so he tries casting Beast Sense in hopes this will allow him some small perception.

The old proverbial water course beckons Baarak my lad, and once again no visible means of propulsion

OOC: Should be a single lyncpn spell? Enhancing sight, hearing & smell.
Should I specify spells hung, since Baarak's used 2? Another 4?

[Wired*Nun]

(I'm not to concerned at this point - let's just wing it)

Backing up and enhancing his senses, the rustling becomes louder and the smell...it's the woody things coming for him still, but slowly. It sounds like they fill the passage in front of him, and the only way to go is back, or forward into the mess. The light from outside is still too far back; looking behind him, he might be able to perceive the faintest of lights from the direction he came; or it might be his imagination. Light spell, light spell...or a torch, yeah. Dad always said lack of preparation would be my undoing...

[jedric]

Exasperated now and not a little worried Baarak steps back again, not something he likes to do.

Wicked witch wicked witch! Of course a little flame.

His native stubbornness comes to the fore at this point, preparing his mind once he casts a third spell. Linking to an elemental shadow of flame he calls forth a great gout of destructive flame, attempting to extend as far as he can, but aware that he risks over tiring himself.

To waste three spells on this mound of kindling, I'm using a flamethrower to light a cigarette!

[Bolt spell variant, lynchpin for Elemental Flame shadow rather than Corrosive blood/liquid]

[Wired*Nun]

The corridor in front of him fills with flame, lighting the animated mound of woody bits that crawls across the floor toward him. It rapidly flares up, struggling still in his direction - but more importantly, the downward slope of the tunnel puts the flames below him and the heat and smoke rapidly drive him backward and upward, coughing. It's a wall of flame forward and down, and while he may be able to get through later, right now it's an inferno, and what little oxygen there is, is rapidly going. Crouching low, he tries to avoid the worst of the heat and smoke which convects upward along the passageway, retreating far enough that he is not in serious danger from heat, smoke or wood. Have to get some new clothes, or get these to a really good dry-cleaner...

Eventually the fire and heat die down, leaving glowing embers in front of him.

[jedric]

Chuckling softly to himself Baarak busies himself constructing a rude torch.

I'm glad dad wasn't here, he'd have laughed himself sick the bastard! I'd never have heard the last of it

Once the torch is ready and lit he re-enters the tunnel.

[Wired*Nun]

Traveling back down the passageway, he eventually passes the location of the former inferno, marked by the scattering of ashes. He is not much further on when he sees movement in front of him, eventually resolving itself into another wicker man, with more behind...Unicorn, again?

[jedric]

Baarak shakes his head in disbelief.

More of them, what is going on here?

Casting his final attack spell he stands his ground face set and very much annoyed.

[Sanguine Flood - Bolt of blood-like corrosive liquid. Hopefully he won't get a backdraft from this one! ;) ]

When the spell is released he brings the sign of the Pattern to mind once again.

[Wired*Nun]

Backing up a bit as the fumes of decomposition fill the corridor, he waits for the wicker men to turn into a puddle of smoking goo, then goes on, picking his way among the puddle. Hope my boots hold up to this stuff...long enough, anyway. The Pattern shows him the same green glow far in front of him, and downward, which grows as he approaches. In fact, he is much closer to it, and it glows strongly in his mystical sight, when he sees more bits of green-animated things coming for him. Will it never end? There has to be a more elegant way of dealing with these things...

[jedric]

OOC: A hint if ever I heard one. If only I could think of something elegant!

Baarak watches the oncoming animated trash. He shakes his head again.

Almighty Unicorn why am I so damned slow today?

He watches them advance and attempts to study the power animating them, seeking for any sign of a means of affecting them on any level other than the physical.

[Wired*Nun]

Clearly, since they are animated by something, is there a way to affect their animating force, rather than merely their physical form?

[jedric]

The day has been long, tiring and suddenly it all falls into place.

What a dunce I am today

The answer comes clear the pattern falls into shape. Yes the Pattern.

OOC: A touch of Pattern may disrupt things perhaps. If not I really am a dunce today!

[Wired*Nun]

[yes, go on...]

[jedric]

Baarak attempts to extend his senses through the sign of the Pattern, he looks more intently at the force animating these things, seeking to analyse it; at first at least.

When he is ready and satisfied he has gleaned as much from this as he can, he extends the sign into the glowing green light, seeking to disrupt the power there, to nullify it or break any link with a controlling mind or power if he can.

As he does so he tries to remain aware of any counter effects and any side effects on the other scarecrows.

OOC: Risky since I don't know how you interpret doing something like this.

[Wired*Nun]

The animating force seems to be autonomous, unconnected to anything. He suspects it is programmed to seek something - him perhaps? and is composed of some kind of energy that is not sorcery, but rather, some kind of other, perhaps lesser, power.

As he pushes the Pattern against the things, he feels some resistance, but it is like a machete through leafy branches - there is no doubt which shall yield. The wicker things fall apart, filling the corridor with woody reeds.

[jedric]

Baarak sighs and looks ahead of him.

Slowly and with care he strides forward ready to deal with any other scarecrows if there are any, and alert for any signs of other threats.

Time to go see the crow man!

[Wired*Nun]

Past the pile of cellulose lies a cavern, filled with a glowing, liquid green...thing. Fluid, three-dimensional, shot through with a putrid grey-brown in the interstices, it is a skateboard park on LSD, claymation by a madman, vomit by the Jolly Green Giant, all rolled into one. Baarak's head aches and his teeth throb as he contemplates whatever it is in front of him.

Deep within its depths he perceives a figure of some sort, swimming, bobbing, floating within its depths. Human, perhaps, at least having the form of a man, it swirls, apparently oblivious to Baarak's gaze. Still, there is a malevolence that is unmistakeable, and directed at him.

A verdent sphere detaches itself from the bilious mass and begins to roll toward Baarak, reminding him of a strange drama he once watched, years ago. Green Rover, Green Rover, let Baarak come over...

[jedric]

Stubbornness pure and simple prevents Baarak from stepping back. He extends his perception though the Pattern and into the smaller green sphere, steeling himself for a backlash he attempts to shut it down as he did the much smaller spheres in the constructs.

"Eh green guy, come on over yourself!" he calls loudly, a grin splitting his face.

I don't like the look of this, not at all

[Wired*Nun]

The larger sphere is crushed by Baarak's Pattern-expressed will, giving him less of a jolt than he expected. Some lesser power then, some kind of super-sorcery?

The sphere gambit having failed, now the glowing gray-green soup extends itself like a pseudopod, reaching for him whole.

[jedric]

So easy, I must be turning into an old woman or something getting het up like that! Right you bastard, try this greeny.

As the tentacle of green energy heads his way Baarak again extends the Pattern energy toward it, again steeling himself for a backlash as he seks to nullify it.

[He also mentally checks for signs of fatigue within himself]

I wouldn't want to fall on my ass with that thing there would I. Come on reach out green-boy.

[Wired*Nun]

Though tired from his exertions, Baarak's infinite confidence makes him certain he will have enough endurance for any challenge.

The pseudopod rears up and crashes over him like a wave, and Baarak stumbles back under the assault, feeling like he stuck his finger in a light socket. His head aches, his teeth buzz, and he feels his consciousness nearly overwhelmed...but not entirely.

Shaking off the effects of the contact, Baarak pushes the Pattern againt the thing in front of him, whirling through it like a buzz saw through soft wood. The figure in the construct tries to retreat, but more and more of the thing's energy is flowing into his vortex of deconstruction, and the man is sucked in...

At then end of it Baarak finds himself standing on a cold stone floor, above the body of a man clad in skins, face painted in whirls of blue.

[jedric]

Baarak reels slightly from the shock but a rush of adrenaline, a mixture of fear and anger, bolster him.

He reaches for the wretched little fur clad figure, seeking to lift him up feet off the ground and hold him so that he and the man can see into each others eyes.

A little shaman... damn him! More power than sense too.

"Good evening, my name is Baarak. Care to introduce yourself?" Baarak intones with a grin on his face.

[Should the man struggle, or fail to cooperate in any way Baarak will hurl him as far as he can, but not into a hard object he wants to question him]

[Wired*Nun]

Unfortunately, the body of the man is lifeless, still warm, but still dead.

[jedric]

"Shit!" Baarak comments eloquently.

He looks around for any signs of other exits or any type of artifact, in short any clue to where the celtic style wizard came from.

If he finds anything he will examine it carefully, otherwise he retraces his steps to the surface.

[Wired*Nun]

There is a small room with a rude pallet and some food Baarak wouldn't feed to the hound. Other than that, there is nothing to be seen, nor is there any residue of power in this place.

Once he reaches almost to the surface, he stops, for there are shadows outside the entrance, shapes of man and no shape of hound. Creeping closer, he sees the hound's body lying off to the side, felled by spears or something like, and man-shapes standing around it, engaged in discussion in a language not known to him.

[jedric]

Baarak stops in his tracks watching and listening, trying to count the figures if he can.

Little hairy had some friends then? Not too many I hope, its been a tad busy today already.

Baarak walks slowly forward grinning as he visualises a group of fur clad savages laying a crude ambush, then suddenly stops once more.

Mmm, overconfidence will get you killed. Let see how intelligent they are.

Cupping his free hand to his mouth Baarak calls out.

"Halt, who goes there?"

[Wired*Nun]

The figures melt away, drawing back from the entrance, the hound's body dragged with them. In a moment, there is nothing to be seen.

[jedric]

Baarak shakes his head and sighs.

Not savages then, low tech but certainly not stupid.

Baarak moves forward slowly, if his torch is still lit he discards it by throwing it back down toward the cavern. He keeps to the more shaded areas where possible and tries to get has near to the entrance wiythout being seen.

[If his Beast senses spell is still working he may get some idea where the people are. If not he'll try using the Pattern sign again to help spot them]

[Wired*Nun]

Baarak's heightened senses tell him that they are grouped around the entrance, within spear-cast, in an ambush position. Presumably anyone that went in after their shaman and made it back unaccompanied is an enemy, or maybe they're just suspicious by nature...not unlike my own family, I suppose...

[jedric]

So to be choose sensible and cautious or reckless and daring?

Baarak grins to himself as he tries counting the assembled barbarians.

They need a lesson for killing Frayk!

Once he is sure he sees them all he takes his sword in hand and leaps forward, rolls and comes to his feet, zigzagging he runs at the left-most spearman and strikes at him with his sword. Still moving he runs on past.

[Wired*Nun]

Baarak is quickly past the ambush, taking a couple of grazes for his pains, felling one man. He is now behind them and puts a couple of trees between them and himself.

[jedric]

Crouching low now he moves on as quietly as possible.

If he can, he attacks individuals on the outer rim of the group and then moves on. He watches the men to see how they react.

[Utilising his Beast Senses to help him stay clear of the men and any obstructions, whilst keeping the men in sight and within earshot]

[Wired*Nun]

Ambushing individuals from behind trees and rocks, it is not long before Baarak routs the primitive warriors, leaving several dead behind. Frayk lies impaled on the ground, but he knows he can be recalled easily, as the Shadows would do his will. Still, it's never fun to see a companion even temporarily dead.

[jedric]

Looking at Frayk Baarak begins to shift shadow carefully seeking to undo the harm done the hound.

Time to leave this damn place

Baarak walks away slowly, shifting toward his original destination Frayk or a close cousin in tow.

[Wired*Nun]

Original destination, ha. Don't even know where I'm going...which probably lays me open to going where someone else wants me to.

That thought barely finished, re-Frayk halts and barks, looking at another apparition. This one is quite different, though - a woman, it seems, dressed in a shimmering green dress, lovely, etherial. She lies in a meadow just off the trail, a fairy ring of redcaps around her. There are no tracks leading to her position, as if she appeared there, or has been lying asleep for some time, allowing the grass to spring up again. She breathes deeply, evenly, and is very comely. Baarak feels a stirring in his loins that overcomes the fatigue in his muscles. Pretty women...well, let's make sure not to climb into any barber chairs...

[jedric]

Looks kinda fishy. Trying to be polite should be an opener methinks.

Producing a couple of fake coughs to draw the ladies attention if she is awake, Baarak stands still, some distance away.

Is this my day for using the Pattern or what?

Bringing the Pattern sign up again he watches the woman for some moments, looking for any obvious signs of magic or other power here.

[Wired*Nun]

She seems to have an enchantment of sleep and preservation on her of some kind. She does not awake. Ahhh, the old sleeping-beauty ploy...but was she set up here or was I led here, is she a part of it or a victim?

[jedric]

With a sigh Baarak inches forward.

Curiosity killed the .... let's hope it was cat. I can't just walk come on then lady let us talk

Baarak extends the Pattern image over and through the girl attempting to break the enchantment. Wathcing and lisetning keenly he hums lightly to himself, grinning he begins to mouth a ditty as he hums.

Day after day alone on the hill
The man with the foolish grin
is keeping perfectly still
But nobody wants to know him
They can see that he's just a fool
And he never gives an answer

Bu the fool on the hill
sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning round...

[Wired*Nun]

The enchantment is dissolved, and after a few moments the woman's eyes open. She stretches langorously, then sits bolt-upright, looking around her in some confusion. Seeing Baarak, she smiles uncertainly and says in strangely-accented Thari, "Good day. Have you come to rescue me?" Her manner is as of one young, perhaps in her late teens as he would judge.

[jedric]

Baarak smiles before speaking.

"Yes, but more by circumstance than design. You see I found you under enchantment and succeeded in breaking the spell. I was merely passing by. Are you well miss...?"

Best start off slow see how she reacts, also see if she is what she seems.

[Wired*Nun]

"I'm supposed to be rescued...I think...at least, that's the impression I get, though it all seems a bit foggy now..." A puzzled look grows across her face, and she continues, "I'm not really sure...I can't remember..."

Shaking her head as if to clear it, she looks up with bright green eyes, smiling a heartwarming smile full of naive promise. "But that's all behind me now, right? I'm here, you're here, and I'm freed! And I look so nice..." She looks down at herself, patting herself here and there in interesting places.

What did she expect, time to have aged her? Cobwebs, bruises, dirt? But she looks clean and fresh, not like she's been lying here in the open for any time...

[jedric]

Baarak smiles at the girl encouragingly.

"What do you remember? Do you know your name, where you're from?"

Play acting or victim I wonder?

[Wired*Nun]

"Of course, silly man. I am Valnya, and I am from...from..." A puzzled frown crosses her face. "I'm not really sure. I remember a town, a small city, and a monastery...and a unicorn...and my family. My father is a dealer in spices, my mother helps him run the business...my brothers too...and I was...I was...the last thing I remember I went to talk to the friars about some of their herbs...then I woke up here! But I used to be...not so pretty. Does that make any sense?" The distress in her voice makes plain her concern. "I remember someone telling me not to worry, that everything would be all right and I would be rescued bye and bye...and I wasn't worried at all..."

[jedric]

Baarak smiles at the girl’s choice of the words silly man, then crouching next to the girl he remarks.

" I wouldn’t worry about how pretty you were, because you are beautiful now. I'm Baarak by the way."

He smiles in what he hopes is a non-threatening manner before continuing.

"The whole thing's a little strange isn't it Valnya, I’m a little confused by your story, can you remember anything about who said you’d be rescued? And this talk of a Unicorn, was there a statue or somewhat?"

If she saw the Unicorn…..

[Wired*Nun]

"Oh, no, it was a real unicorn. The friars took me to the other part of the cloister, you know, where the girl friars are, and they had a unicorn there that they used to ride...or some of them did, the pure of heart anyway. And I got to ride her, bareback, and I didn't even have to be naked this time, which is the way they usually ride her, which is kind of wierd, actually, but because they said I was too young to do that and it was inap - inapp - umm, not the right thing to do. Anyway, I took a ride and she jumped over the wall and we rode and rode far far away and then...and then she put me down here, and said I would wake up later and be rescued. Only..." and she pats herself down again, pressing on her breasts, "I didn't have these before..."

[jedric]

Baarak smiles and nods reassuringly at the girl.

"Did the Unicorn say what your rescuer would do next, or did it vanish in a puff of smoke?"

Damn it a little kid in a woman's body, no fair, no fair at all!

Without waiting for an answer Baarak holds out his hand to help her stand.

"Come on, no use sitting around here, are you hungry by the way? I can find us some food if you'd like."

[Wired*Nun]

"Umm yeah, I am hungry, kinda. I wonder where she went, though, she rode off that way." Pointing up the hillside, she looks that direction uncertainly. "It looks like she's gone, though, I guess. Baarak...I..." Valnya pulls Baarak close to her, grasping his arm with both of hers, and looks anxiously up at him. "I don't know what to do now...now that you rescued me...can we go home now?"

[jedric]

Baarak smiles at the girl reassuringly.

"Let's talk about that after we eat shall we? Come on."

This could still be a trap, so be careful

Carefully he pulls her to her feet and steps away slightly, watching for her reaction.

[Wired*Nun]

"Yes...come on where?" Valnya follows Baarak if there is somewhere to be led. She looks uncertainly at Freyk, and stays close to Baarak.

[jedric]

Slowly, carefully Baarak shifts shadow toward a secluded Inn, not too many customers, a friendly and homely place.

As he does so he takes Valnya's hand very gently.

"Come my lady there is an Inn nearby." he comments in a matter of fact manner.

[Wired*Nun]

"Oh, all right, that would be very nice." She holds on to Barrak's arm in the manner of a little sister, and Barrak feels strangely moved by her innocence. I have been dwelling among wenches and harpies, too long...and if the truth be told, loving many minutes of it...there is a refreshing quality about unbridled innocence that brings out what nobler qualities I possess.

Arriving at the inn, and taking a quiet table in the corner, Baarak orders lunch and sets to with gusto. Valnya imitates him in an only slightly more delicate way, devouring nearly a whole meat pie, a tankard of apple cider and various vegetables. "Urp...oops, sorry," she giggles. "That was good!"

[jedric]

Baarak watches the girl eat and drink and can't help grinning. When she has eaten enough he asks.

"Did the Unicorn say anything else, were you to be brought home or was there a plan?"

What to do, the powers of the Universe may be converging on me for all I know and my primary care has been for personal pleasure.

[Wired*Nun]

"Oh, she just said I was supposed to be rescued and eventually be brought to the Eternal City to meet the King and I would be a princess and I would live happily ever after...well, not in so many words, but that's what it felt like she said."

"So when do we go meet the King?"

[jedric]

Baarak grins at Valnya.

So much energy, I must remember that she is a child despite appearances

"Let's finish eating first, then we can plan." he remarks.

Eating more fastidiously Baarak sits contemplating the puzzle the girl represents and how, if at all, it fits with his recent experiences with the scarecrows.

"Er Valnya, where you come from, is there magc, real magic? If so have you ever heard of anyone making a scarecrow walk?" he asks fully expecting her to laugh out loud.

[Wired*Nun]

"Oh, yeah, all the time!" She makes a face. "Only the highest of the High can make things like that, but they wouldn't. They don't do anything fun, they just...heal people, and things like that. Hey, can we go now? Aren't we supposed to be on the way to the Eternal City or something?" The pretty pout causes a twisting in Baarak's gut. Man, oh, man, don't get caught up in this, boy...all you need is a crush on a 12-year-old, whatever her body looks like...

[jedric]

Baarak smiles and nod in response to her answer.

"That's very interesting, let's go now."

He quickly settles the bill and escorts Valnya from the Inn.

A waste of time, I still have no idea if she is play acting, soooo... give her what she wants!

Baarak pauses in mid-stride and looks at the girl.

"Can you ride a horse Valnya, it'll be easier to ride?"

[Wired*Nun]

"Oh, sure! I ride very well, I took lessons. I was going to get my own horse but..."

Turning onto the road, they are suddenly confronted by another wicker man. This one stands in the middle of the path, absolutely immobile. Almost as if it was set there...seems to be no animation at all...a warning?

Baarak notices, after a moment of looking, that a silence has descended on the area. The breeze dies to nothing, and his neck hairs start to stand up. The smell of corruption is wafting my way...

A little shriek from Valnya, a pointing finger, and Baarak sees a man step out of the thin air, next to the wicker man. This one is garbed in gray and black, about six feet tall, heavily built, bearded. Piercing black eyes, even white teeth, perfect grooming. All that Baarak gathered in an instant before the man reaches sideways to touch the tip of his finger to the wicker man. That figure lurches like a man woken from a standing sleep, to stumble slowly, drunkenly in circles.

"Hail, child of Amber. You have something of mine."

[jedric]

Baarak looks the new arrival over, then grins as he takes a step diagonally to his left, thereby hiding Valnya from the man's view.

Could this be the king-pin? If he is then he has need of speed to do his own dirty work

Baarak continues to smile even as he draws his sword, he holds the blade casually, its point off to the right and low.

"Really, what would that be? Excuse me, you are?..."

[Wired*Nun]

"My name is Mikel," - he pronounces it mick-el, emphasis slightly on the second sylable - "of Helgram. Funny how you of Amber go right to the blade, for all your famed intriguing. Divide the world into 'us' and 'them,' and only negotiate with your own? Come now, it doesn't have to be this way. I'm willing to swap you anything reasonable, as a finder's fee for the...girl."

He says that last as if the name doesn't quite fit.

[jedric]

Baarak inclines his head and shoulders slightly, producing a kind of bow, but keeps his eyes on Mickel the while. When he resumes his normal stance Baarak speaks in a slightly disbelieving voice.

"A Hellgrammite! Well I'll be a Unicorn's get."

Great a Chaosian, just what I need

Baarak grins at the man and tilting his head to one side he comments.

"Tell me why she is important Mickel and perhaps we shall discuss other things."

As he speaks he begins to raise the sign of the Pattern.

Let us see how he responds to this?

[Wired*Nun]

A Hellgrammite! Well I'll be a Unicorn's get."

"I think you are, not to belabor the point."

As Baarak begins the concentration, Mikel crosses his arms and rocks back a bit on his heels, then bounces on his toes a couple of times.

"Oh, this should be interesting, no doubt," he says in a hugely amused voice. "When you have manifested your sigil, do be so kind as to examine your charge. After you've looked at me, of course."

Mikel waits patiently until the Sign of the Pattern hangs before Baarak. Seen through the lens, Mikel looks pretty much tha same, with several sorcerous glows about him at hip and hip, ring and boots. What really holds Baarak's attention are the tendrils emananting from Mikel's fingers, and wrapped around himself in a defensive shield.

Must be Logrus...he was ready for me, and he's given me time to bring up the Pattern when he probably would have had an advantage by attacking me right off...and it must take some effort to hold those things there for any length of time...

Stepping to the side so that he needn't turn completely away from Mikel to do it, Baarak slides the Sign over to examine Valnya.

Superimposed on her winsome humanformed body is a monstrous shape, glowing red and black when seen through the Pattern sight. It has a kind of beauty, and is certainly female, but...demonic?...nonetheless.

[jedric]

Baarak continues to grin as he looks on Valnya's true form, then he turns back to Mickel.

"Quite a beauty isn't she?" he remarks in the same amused tone that Mickel used.

Shit! What is she, why is she interested in me and more to the point why does he want her?

"By the way, I do feel we should be properly introduced. I am Baarak scion of Amber as you seem to know. You are Lord Mickel of Helgram I take it?"

Baarak thrusts his chin toward the scarecrow.

"What about your twiggy friend here?"

There's more to this Mickel, come spill the beans you Chaosian bastard!

[Wired*Nun]

"Lord, yes, call me that if we walk into the ballroom together. Otherwise, Mikel will do...Baarak? That name sounds almost familiar. Should I know of you particularly?"

The wicker man staggers off into the light woods, and Mikel ignores its antics as it goes. He takes a large breath, arms still crossed, thumbs out in a posture more didactic than combative, and settles himself against a nearby boulder.

Protecting his back, or just using the terrain to suit his body language?

"And twiggy, I'm not familiar with that term, though I might be able to divine its meaning by context. But, if you are asking for its name, I'm not going to give that one away for free. What is it calling itself now? I call it 'Vee' by way of the colloquial. It's my demon. Let me emphasize that - my demon. Bound to me by blood and rite, and bound and determined, as they all are, to escape. We do this dance from time to time."

He sighs. "She usually tries to acquire a protector, no doubt spinning some tale of kidnapping and woe, all innocence, suited to the listener as well."

"But enough of this, please. Help me - or simply allow me - to take her back into custody, and I can be on my merry way. So let us bargain. Ask what you will of me, and I will grant what I can. You will find than me no better friend, and no worse enemy." He seems utterly confident, bordering on arrogant...aren't we all...

[jedric]

Baarak begins to laugh lightly.

“Oh my! Twiggy! As in Twig-like, he’s just gone off into the trees.”

Bullshit Lord Mickel! Bull Shit! The scarecrows appeared before the girl, you control the scarecrows, ergo either the girl is part of your plan or you were trying to stop me getting to her; whatever she is

Baarak stands comfortably, at ease, his sword held loosely in his hand, he sighs slightly then.

“A demon is she, bound by whom? You see she was ensorcelled when I found her, I’d not believe she did that to herself.”

Come try me Mikel, please do

Baarak prepares his mind, a certain spell ready and waiting.

OOC: Assuming he can have another one, it’ll be Neural Maze

[Wired*Nun]

"Bound by me, to me. She's able to take bodies, too - looks like she found a nice one there. I can see why you want to hang onto it. Say, if you like that body, I can bind a nice, not-too-bright imp into that one, swap out Vee for it, then you'll have a sweet companion for yourself. I don't need the body. I just want the demon."

He shifts a little against the boulder, appearing to get comfortable. "I was hoping to run you off by leading you to the Wicker Warlock, but you turned out to be better than the other suckers she's found. Fine. I respect that. Now let's settle on terms, shall we?"

"Please don't let him take me," comes a low moan from behind Baarak. "He's horrible. I'm sorry I lied to you. You'd lie too if you were a slave."

[jedric]

Baarak frowns, but grins simultaneously.

"You led me to the Wicker Warlock? Really, nifty bit of shadow control there I'd say. How did you know I'd meet little miss Vee here, the scarecrows appeared way before I met her?" he comments thoughtfully.

As he ponders his semi-rhetorical question Baarak slowly moves a couple of paces forward, enough to be out of reach of Valnya should she suddenly become aggressive, but more to the point closer to Mickel.

"To terms then. I don't really go in for spirit binding, even second-hand it seems a tad declassé to me. Can you offer anything else?"

Baarak smiles in what he hopes is a winning manner, then frowns again.

"One thing though, if she's bound you should be able to simply call her shouldn't you?"

Go ahead shit-head call the little demon girly

[Wired*Nun]

Mikel coughs, probably covering a laugh.

"Oh, she was square in your path. There are other forces here than just you and me, and one of them is trying to get Amberites to take up their cause. I'm owning up to my manipulations, because I didn't realize who you were. Now that I do, I'm trying to clue you in to the game. In fact, I see you as a potential ally, or at least someone I can do business with. I'm just so openminded that way."

The smile that accompanies this declaration is, if not fully genuine, at least not obviously false. Some kind of Chaosite subtext, I'm thinking...



"To terms then. I don't really go in for spirit binding, even second-hand it seems a tad declassé to me. Can you offer anything else?"


"I'm not a dandy, as you can see by the dust on my clothes. Common is as common does, and bound demons are common in Chaos. It's the nature of things - and don't go on about inalienable rights until you lot unbind all your private shadows and servant creatures, I know you have them. But the offer of the body was just an aside - I can offer a lot, if you can tell me what you're interested in. Mystical items, I have contacts. Private hideaways, and the ways to hide them further. Arcane and esoteric knowledges, lines of investigation into mysterious deaths, shadows un-thought-of in your philosophy...any of these things are possible, to someone of my resources."

"But as for why I don't just call her, she has broken loose. That's pretty clear. She must be re-bound. She can't elude me for long, so she is trying yet again to find someone else to fight for her. I can take her back, but you're in the way, and I'd prefer to dicker than to fight you. One," he ticks off on his fingers, "I'm not certain of your capabilities. Two," another finger, "I value my life and limbs more than my pride, and three," the thumb, "I always look for ways to turn a liability into an opportunity." He waggles the thumb from one side to the other and concludes, "So, do we have a basis for negotiation or," thumb down, "not?"

[jedric]

Baarak grins at Mickel.

"An interesting pitch, very interesting. You'd go to all this trouble for something so common? A man with such contacts and resources follows and attempts to bind a lowly demon out of what? Pride? Ennui?"

Baarak sighs.

"I'm afraid I must decline. I have no intention of handing her over, not at least until I fully understand what and who is dogging my footsteps."

Quickly Baarak incants the lynchpins for his chosen spell, and then equally quickly spring forward toward the Chaosian.

OOC: The final paragraph are Baarak's intended actions of course.

[Wired*Nun]

"An interesting pitch, very interesting. You'd go to all this trouble for something so common? A man with such contacts and resources follows and attempts to bind a lowly demon out of what? Pride? Ennui?"

"If your favorite horse wanders off, and you find it ridden by another man, do you simply shrug and buy another horse? I simply will have what is mine, one way or another. And...who said she was lowly? Serpent help you if she finds a more powerful protector...you might wake up dead."

Though he holds on to it as long as he can, casting his spell and springing toward Mikel necessitates Baarak releasing the Pattern.

The spell seems to have no effect, and Baarak remembers the Logrus tendrils wrapping him in defensive folds. Mikel uncoils from his position and uncrosses his arms to the wrists, and makes a scissoring motion. Logrus meets the bare residual of Pattern, and Baarak is thrown backwards with the force of a shield-rush, cast onto the ground but not particularly stunned.

Turning the montion into a backwards roll, he comes to his feet, to see Mikel turn, fold to two-dimensionality, reach and step sideways out of this shadow.

Frayk's barking causes Baarak to whirl around, fearing attack from the rear, but Valnya is standing placidly, and there sees to be no other threat. Yet Frayk is backing from her, and baying with alarm.

[jedric]

Baarak grins fiercely at Valnya, as he steps slightly back, he frowns at the commotion the hound is causing.

"Frayk, heel!" he calls out quickly.

Dammit, why can't I mind my own business? With my luck she's the trap and I've done exactly what Mikel wanted

"So my demonic little lady what shall we do now?" he asks nonchalantly.

Meanwhile he attempts to regain the Pattern for a better look at Valnya and anything else nearby.

[Wired*Nun]

She smiles back a sad little smile. "Whatever you want. He will keep coming for me, and I will do whatever I can to stay out of his posession. And before you start in on me, you will have to consider what you would do if someone made you a slave. What would you do for your freedom?"

She runs her hands up and down herself for a moment, more speculatively than anything. "This is a good body. Young, strong, full of life. The soul is gone from it - it was the perfect find. Almost too perfect." She looks around and shivers a little. "I have the feeling someone is guiding this situation, but I don't know why. Can we get away from here? Make ourselves hard to find? Please?"

Raising the pattern reveals the same view as before. While there is no way to be sure, Baarak sees nothing malevolent.

[jedric]

Baarak smiles crookedly then shakes his head.

"Quite a mess, should I still call you Valnya I wonder.... Alright let's get things straight, you are a demon yes, did you possess this body or were you somehow placed in it, I'd also like to know whether you really met a unicorn?"

He smiles uncertainly as he asks the latter.

[Wired*Nun]

"Valnya will be fine. It happens to be this body's name. I have access to all of her memories, too, which was very useful in spinning a story. She really was placed there by a unicorn, as far as she can remember. If this body grew at a normal rate, that was several years ago subjective time - she was eleven when she was placed there. I picked up residual wards when I came upon it, almost as if they were dissolved just before I came along." She sighs, and sits down on a rock nearby.

"I took possession of the body because it allows me a flexibility and the ability to interact with the physical world. We demons are distinctly two-part beings, and are more able to detach the soul from the body. This presents risks, of course. But I did it myself, even if it's a setup. It was a soulless vessel, waiting to be filled. That's about as attractive to one of us as a bucket of ice water is to a man in the desert." She cocks her head and looks anxiously up at him from under her hair.

"I still think we should get out of here. We're sitting ducks for Mikel as soon as he rests up. His big weakness is his lack of endurance, but he can take advantage of time flow to rest quickly."

[jedric]

It could be true, could be. If so the unicorn is manipulating events and therefore trying to manipulate me. What a day!

Baarak raises an eyebrow to Valnya's tale then shrugs.

"No matter, let's be moving, I can take us to places he won't want to visit, or indeed I could take us to Amber."

Baarak watches Valnya as he speaks.

"Did you really want to go there, or was that part of the story too?"

Does she feel that Mikel won't reach her there, or is there more, is she working for or against me?

Without waiting for an answer Baarak summons Frayk with a sharp whistle, and turning on his heel he strides away. After walking only twoe or three paces he looks over one shoulder and with a grin asks, "Coming?"

Let it come, I shall be ready, or I shall fall, what more can a man do?

[Wired*Nun]

"That came from me - part of the story, that was true. Can't it be both? I'd love to go there with you, and not just because he is unlikely to follow."

Valnya follows gamely as Baarak strides away, cursing a little bit at the pace but not complaining. Frayk for his part staying between the two of them, issuing a low growl whenever she comes too close. Well, at least he has his priorities straight....I always heard that animals were sensitive to the paranormal...

Eventually he hears her pace change, and glances back to see her go from a fast walk to a slow jog. She grins sheepishly at him, saying, "Sorry, I can't keep up. I'm not that integrated into this body yet, and it's been sitting for along time. I think I'm going to be pretty damned sore tonight."

[jedric]

Baarak grins at Valnya, but does not slacken his pace.

"Don't worry you'll have a chance to rest those pretty little legs, borrowed though they are, soon enough." he utters with a short laugh.

A short trip through shadow provide us with suitable mounts, being ignored might make her realize she's not that important too!

Baarak leads her for away from the site of the confrontation with Mikel, they walk briskly for perhaps thirty minutes before Baarak heads into a small group of trees, they emerge near a group of several wooden buildings. Outside the near building stand two horses, saddled and tethered to a horizontal wooden beam.

Baarak stops in his tracks and turns to Valnya, "We have horses." he grins fiercely at her. Then stepping closer he takes her hand and looks into her eyes.

I wonder if your spirit is as alien as your true form? Are you a good being inside that pretty shell I wonder?

He tilts his head to one side and smiles as his eyes narrow.

"Valnya, please ensure you do as I say from now on, we shall be travelling in the Shadows, possibly through places which are hostile, should I tell you to do something, no matter how starnge it sounds please do it without question. Do you understand me?"

[Wired*Nun]

Looking back up at him, her expression is amused, but earnest. "What, I don't speak Thari now? Of course I understand you. I think you will find me pleasing in all ways, including to defend you or obey your every whim...master." She smiles, and without warning, plants a deep, deep kiss in Baarak's mouth.

[jedric]

Baarak pushes her away and frowning he shakes his head.

Holy shit, kissed by a demon!

"Don't do that again, I am not your master, I'm also not your friend, lover or confidante. We may become friends but now its purely business." he remarks in a totally serious manner.

He steps away then moves to the horses, "Come on let's go."

Baarak untethers the two horses and turns them so that Valnya can take the reins of one of them. Fluidly Baarak mounts up, and spurs forward with a whistle he summons Frayk to follow.

[Wired*Nun]

She shrugs and grins at his discomfiture. Mounting with reasonable confidence, if not expertise, Valnya follows along behind Baarak as best she may.

[jedric]

Baarak begins to shift into Shadow; he has no definite objective in mind merely an attempt to get away from the current locale and ultimately from Mikel.

He draws Valnya and Frayk along, quickly, but not quite a hellride; his route is designed to traverse as many unusual shadow environs as possible.

A land of green flame, the temperature that of a warm sunny day, an ice field inhabited by blue lightning-like beings, a shadow formed of liquid, Rebma-like...

Interspersed with these are shadows inhabited by dangerous and belligerent creatures, shadows which are blocked to Trump, those where sorcery functions not at all or only with great difficulty...

After some hours [?], he calls a halt, and rides into a great thicket> He finds the group of rocks he desires, they form a cave-like structure, large enough for the horses and people.

"Time for a little rest." he comments laconically as he dismounts.

He watches Valnya, his expression showing nothing.

This will be the test, how she comes through this, what she wants now?

[Wired*Nun]

Valnya dismounts, saying nothing but seeing to her horse. Unsaddling, currying with tools she finds in the saddlebags, munching on some jerky from the same source, she studiously ignores Baarak until he addresses her.

If he doesn't, she will tend his horse as well, then make sure they get water if there is a source nearby, and set them to grazing on anything green.

After that, she begins building a fire, and laying out a camp, quickly, efficiently, like she has done it a thousand times. Her eyes flick to Baarak from time to time, as if to say, "How am I doing?" but she keeps her mouth closed the whole time, as if determined to let him make the first foray.

Eventually, all is ready, and there is a small pot of stew made of water, jerky, and some plants and roots she has dug up in nearby, along with herbs and salt from the saddlebags. She handles a small knife with apparent expertise, at least in the culinary department.

[jedric]

Baarak watches Valnya work, a small smile appearing for a second.

She's really trying isn't she? I wonder how she learned these er, earthly skills?

Baarak makes himself comfortable and as Valnya finishes her cooking he nods and smiles slightly.

"Look Valnya, let's go for some middle ground, I'm not comfortable with the overly familiar approach. and I sure as hell don't like this underling deal... [he pauses to think] Tell me something of yourself, what exactly are you, how and why did you learn to cook, and why does Mikel value you so?"

Speak to me my little fiend, and speak truth. If you were set on me by the Unicorn there must be a reason.... she might not know why herself, but then if she's trying to trick me she's in for some pain

[Wired*Nun]

Sitting down in kind of a ritual martial arts position, feet folded under her buttocks, she places her hands on her thighs before replying in formal style of voice.

"I was formed of the mating between my sire, commonly called Canthus, and my dam, commonly called Be'ktaa. I grew as most of our kind do, from the small to the larger, serving, avoiding or being cruelly used by the stronger of my kin. I was protected from permanent harm by my family connections, but our kind do not believe in coddling our young."

"I am some six centuries old." She laughs at his expression. "That is an approximation, of course. There were long stretches where I lost track of time, and it's all subjective anyway."

"About an hundred years ago Mikel captured me. As I found out later, he was looking for a female demon to be his primary familiar and servant."

"Some Chaos Lords - or even shadow sorcerers of note - negotiate for the service of demonkind. Those of Helgram are not noted for their flexibility, however. They consider negotiation beneath them, and taking into slavement of demonic servants a rite of passage and proof of their fitness. This much, and more, I learned while so enslaved."

"Thus, I have been his for a long time. I have been used in every way imaginable. This is, in some ways, not so bad as it seems. Nevertheless, I am marked, and I am desperate. Oh, and I can cook...and do everything else any good servant should, for I accompanied Mikel on many expeditions to many climes and places. I can ward, I can guard, I can defend, I can supply you with my strength and my intelligence. If you will pledge to defend me from him, I will be utterly and completely loyal, as only one of my kind can be."

She says this last in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, as if her words would never be disputed.

[jedric]

Baarak remains silent as Valnya says her piece. His reaction to her final offer is slow to appear. A sceptical smile and a hint of honest amusement.

So you offer invaluable service, to fight for me, to protect me. Yet in return I must protect you? Is this a set up? It still feels fishy to me.

"Interesting offer. I protect you, you protect me yes?" Baarak's grin becomes a huge thing, almost ear to ear.

"Listen to me Valnya, I may decide I like you, if so I'll fight for you as I would for a friend, if not [he shrugs and turns his palms up] then you are on your own. I'm not in the market for a slave, nor will I pledge myself to a feud with a Lord of Chaos."

He sighs and shakes his head, "You may travel with me, but your life is your own. If that is not what you would have of me then I would suggest you find another... protector." He grins ruefully as he pronounced the final word.

[Wired*Nun]

"Not a slave, but a servant, is voluntary service. My kind know only this...or rebellion. Well..." she looks suddenly uncertain. Thinking, thinking...

After a few moments, she continues. "I will travel with you, but...to do so will endanger you. You thwarted him once, and even were I to leave now, he would still desire to hunt you down and extract revenge. If he captured me first, I would be used against you. Thus, it seems I have little choice, whatever the status you give me. I already owe you, and we demons pay our debts. If you would not have a servant..."

Her face twists up, almost as if saying something...difficult, or painful, "I will be your...companion."

Staring into the growing darkness, she drinks deep of it and says, "But I don't know..." - whispered words, almost unheard, "what...that other word...means."

[jedric]

Baarak grins and shakes his head.

Why did she have to be so beautiful dammit?

"Let's try to find that out together shall we. Companions, for now at least... By the by Valnya I'm not the sort to leave a threat undealt with, if Mikel does return he should expect trouble."

As should I!

[Wired*Nun]

"Not it...but when. He will not forget. You would be better to use my knowledge to hunt him first. Kill him."

Again, that matter-of-fact tone, as if she would expect no argument. "This would solve both of our problems. Best if it happened well out in shadow, though. Best if it looked like self-defense."

[jedric]

Baarak harrumphs quietly.

"Perhaps, I prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt... for now at least."

Baarak makes himself comfortable and leans back against a nearby rock, he smiles and closes his eyes.

"You want to take the first watch?"

[Wired*Nun]

"As you wish. I will watch over you." She settles onto her haunches, back to the fire, and becomes still.

The fire dies slowly, and as long as Baarak stays awake, she makes no move to replenish it...in fact, no move at all.

[jedric]

Baarak allows sleep to take him, he keeps his hand close to his sword.

If I wake then perhaps she can be trusted!?

[Wired*Nun]

Baarak wakes up in the morning none the worse for wear, to the sounds of breakfast being prepared. Joining Valnya by the fire, she hands him a bowl of porridge with herbs and a plate of fried meat strips. Picking up a similar bowl and plate, she begins to eat with efficiency, looking, if anywhere, off into the distance, contemplatively.

After eating, she begins to break camp, packing with energy, smiling a little now and then under her intent expression.

[jedric]

Baarak remains silent as he eats and watches Valnya.

Alive and well, is there more to her story I wonder

When he is ready he clears away his gear and makes ready to move on. He pauses in thought before speaking.

"Listen Valnya I've had little truck with demons so do not be offended by my question... Do you think that Amber's environs will harm you in any way?"

[Wired*Nun]

She shrugs. "If they do, they do. I have visited the Golden Circle kingdoms with Mikel, and there have been no problems. Perhaps if I was in my original body, it would, but this one is human normal, I believe?" She pokes herself in the torso, comically.

"Don't worry about me, Baarak. We are a tough and persistent people, and I have endured more than you might think. Show me your home, or what it is that you wish." She finishes packing the camp, tossing him the reins of his horse, then mounting easily.

[jedric]

Baarak shrugs in return and grins.

"Alright, I asked, if any harm comes to you because of where we go, don't blame me. Let's move."

I don't think I like you girl/demon, I think you're hiding something and I think its that your erstwhile master set you on me... He'll regret it!

Baarak mounts up and with a whistle to Frayk, sets off at a canter, leaving Valnya to keep up. Slowly he starts to shift toward Amber.

OOC: A leisurely shadowshift will do

[Wired*Nun]

Shifting easily, sparing the horses since they are not familiar and shift-adept, they ride more or less side by side, or Valnya brings up the rear when they must go single file. Frayk ranges ahead, sniffing out rabbits and game birds, but ignoring their escapes.

Topping a ridge, they find themselves looking down on a valley of stunning beauty, with cliffs of two or more thousand feet, and waterfalls to match. A river runs through it from east to west, and their vantage point is bare rock except for an enormous ash tree. Its branches have spring buds on them, and are filled with hundreds of ravens. There is an uncalled-for lightning storm across the valley, and Baarak can feel the electricity in the air.

Frayk charges the tree, running around it and barking up at the ravens. Valnya reins in beside him and says, nodding at the collection, "They are watching us."

At that moment, three ravens fly off in different directions, toward the south, east and west. "And they carry their tales as well," she continues.

[jedric]

Baarak takes in the view with a smile, but watches and listens. When Valnya speaks he nods and asks.

"Anything to do with you late unlamented master do you think? ...And how do you know that by the way?"

[Wired*Nun]

"I doubt that he will hear of us from them...he put no stock in conversations with lesser creatures. I doubt they would go out of their way to talk to him, either. But I do. As a slave, it is only fitting that I speak to the lowly, don't you think?"

She rides forward to the tree, putting her palm against it for a moment, then smiles back at Baarak.

"I think we are in no danger from this quarter."

[jedric]

At first sight of the valley Baarak had been pleased by the beauty and splendor of the sight, but the unusual actions of the birds was a cause for doubt or perhaps even concern. Valnya's response was as unexpected as it was strange.

Does she do this a'purpose, to puzzle and vex? Is she truly what she seems?

Baarak smiles at Valnya and frowns quizzically as he shakes his head.

"You are still full of surprises aren't you girl?"

He reaches out and places his hand upon the tree, feeling for any obvious signs of power.

He turns his head to look at Valnya and stoney faced asks.
"What do you know of this place? I'll have some answers, for one you say there is no danger or hostility here, how can you know that, and the ravens girl, what of them? Speak!"

[Wired*Nun]

The mask of formality drops like a curtain over her countenance at his commanding tone, and she replies, "I know it because I know this tree. Baarak, of Amber, meet Teyawahnee."

Hail, and well met, son of Oberon, says a voice in Baarak's mind. There is nothing to fear from me, I am merely a tree. The birds are my friends, and carry me news of the wider world, and bring me word from my relatives who stand at the narrowing of the ways.

[jedric]

Restraining an instinctive urge to withdraw his hand Baarak looks upon the tree, feels its bark, the texture the warmth or lack thereof. Unbidden a memory rises imparted to Baarak by his father, relating an episode where prince Corwin encountered a sentient tree named Ygg.

How strange... Err, your pardon Teyawahnee... Greetings, and may you prosper in root and branch... I am honoured and somewhat at a loss... out of interest I'm not actually a son of Oberon, grandson would be more accurate

Almost reluctantly Baarak shifts his gaze to Valnya.

"How do you know Teyawahnee?" his tone is measured, simply an inquiry, although he watches Valnya closely.

I am curious Teyawahnee, how much you know of Valnya, I myself met her only a day or so ago you see…

OOC: I'm assuming Baarak senses no ill will or malevolence?

[Wired*Nun]

[nope]

Son, grandson, you are of his seed, I can feel it. He planted me, you see, as he planted my sire and siblings. He charged us to keep watch on his children, as we are able, and on his realms, as we can.

Of this lady I know much, though you do not expect me to betray confidences, I hope? Yet I will tell you, she has a good heart, and has always been benevolent to me and mine. Her most recent comanion, though, was of a rather different sort. A Son of Chaos, whose soul is shot through with blackness, and a lust for power.

[jedric]

Baarak grins impishly.

Chastened by a tree! How odd.... so unless this is a grand conspiracy, one involoving sentient trees no less, this represents another point in Valnya's favour.

[Turning back to his conversation with Teyawahnee]

I'd not have you speak out of turn Teyawahnee, nor speak any secrets, as a matter of fact it was I who took Valnya away from her previous companion, one Lord Mikel of Chaos, although the said Lordling seemed to think he was her owner

Baarak smiles, his eyes seek Valnya's own seeking some action or reaction from her.

I didn't take to him, an unpleasant sort who I believe now considers me an enemy...

Suddenly Baarak's smile is transformed into a thoughtful frown.

The Narrowing of the Ways did you say? I'm not familiar with any such place[?] or is it a phenomenon?

[Wired*Nun]

I'd not have you speak out of turn Teyawahnee, nor speak any secrets, as a matter of fact it was I who took Valnya away from her previous companion, one Lord Mikel of Chaos, although the said Lordling seemed to think he was her owner.

He was her owner, in body and soul, though not in mind. To say otherwise is only to bandy definitions. I am glad you have taken her away from him, and have not enslaved her in his place.


The Narrowing of the Ways did you say? I'm not familiar with any such place[?] or is it a phenomenon?


It is where we stand. We seed of Yggdrasil, that is. The Shadows are not flat, nor featureless, nor open. They twist and turn, rise and fall, widen and narrow, like passes through high mountains. While it is possible to climb the steep faces, it is much easier, and therefore more likely, that travelers go through the narrow passes, where we stand. Thus, we see much of those who have the Power to walk the shadows. Oberon placed us here, and spoke with us often, in his time. We miss him, my brothers and I. Thus, I value the friends I have.

The loneliness, the sense of purpose lost, comes through clearly to Baarak. How would it be to be rooted in one place, and then abandoned by one's creator?

[jedric]

Baarak remains silent for some seconds, physically and mentally, as he absorbs this information.

I find what you have told me quite fascinating Teyawahnee, a whole new way of looking at the structure of shadow in fact

Baarak looks at Valnya anew, could she be a 'Good Person' whatever that meant and a demon, were Teyawahnee and the other Seeds of Yggdrasil important enough for Oberon to speak with them often? Returning his awareness fully to Teyawahnee, Baarak projects a further comment.

I never met Oberon, all that I have learned of him has been second hand, none of which made him the sort of man who would make idle chitchat, and yet you say my grandfather spoke with you and your brethren often? How many are you, your brethren I mean?

[Wired*Nun]

An amused tone blossoms in Teyawahnee's words. All of my 'chitchat' is 'idle', immobile as I am. If I were one to take insult, I could so so at several levels - implication that talking with me is useless, implication that Oberon was a fool, or was fooled, or a transparent challenge to me to deny your straw man and give you information you believe I would withhold? He was also a suspicious man, but not so much with me. Still, I understand.

We are many. Many more than a few, not so many as your people. hundreds, at least. With our sentience came a desire for self-preservation, so the ravens have carried our seed to many many places.

[jedric]

I begin to like this being, this sentient tree, can I refer to it as he? Does gender transfer to such an entity? Hundreds of them, so many, a great organic network, to what end I wonder. Indeed I do wonder!

Baarak smiles and shakes his head.

I must be suspicous Teyawahnee, I am but one man, albeit the spawn of Oberon, and in infinite shadow there are many things which may destroy such as I

Baarak pauses, his face hardening slightly.

Also my suspsicious mind tells me that there is little idle talk to be had from you, since Oberon was a great man, his deeds as far as I know were never frivolous... Now I must ask of you one thing and I must have a true answer. I was brought here I know, for I had no inclination to walk this way, but by whom?

And for what purpose I would ask, but not yet my woody friend, not yet

[Wired*Nun]

Of that, I have no knowledge, truly. I can neither influence nor predict the travels of fauna, except for my ravens of course. Whether you were brought here, or in your travels you would always pass here that you do not notice, I cannot tell. Still, it would seem obvious to even one as rooted as I am, that if you have but one companion, then that one is the most likely either to contain the cause, or the solution.

[jedric]

An interesting if annoying answer to my query, could Valnya be responsible consciously or no? Best ask her.

Baarak takes his hand from the trunk of Teyawahnee and looks directly at Valnya.

"Girl will you join us in a conversation? I'd like to ask you something with our friend here a party to things."

Baarak quickly replaces his hand on the tree and waits.

[Wired*Nun]

Placing her palm back back on the tree, whe waits, an insouciant expression playing at the corners of her mouth.

I am here, he hears in his mind from her.

[jedric]

Baarak smiles with a cynical expression upon his face.

Valnya, I was just speaking with Teyawahnee and asked for an opinion on why it is we have come this way, I certainly did not plan on it, until today I had no knowledge of this place. Since Teyawahnee says that our being here is none of his doing and we are left either with an act by yourself, conscious or not, or something even more unusual. What say you?

[Wired*Nun]

We were traveling, and there are hundreds of Yggdrasil's spawn scattered thoughout shadow. All I had to do was wait until we drew near to one, and here we are. It might have been another, but this is the way you took. It is one of the most common passes through the shadow peaks. I have been here many times.

[jedric]

Baarak nods and raises an eyebrow.

A deliberate act then, but it begs the question why?

[Wired*Nun]

Why not? Or to put it another way...here is a witness to my character. A friend. A witness also in case I come to ill. If you were in difficulty, wouldn't you want to be near your friends?

[jedric]

I'm hard pressed to answer that, logically I can see that there is something to what she says, but perversely I cannot accept her taking the initiative like that.

So you just upped and decided to take us here, beautiful place though it is... [Baarak sighs] you could have asked me!

Baarak's face shows nothing, amusement, anger all gone. His mind radiates a little irritation.

[Wired*Nun]

A flash of irritation of her own, quickly covered. She speaks aloud this time.

"I didn't bring us here, you did. All I did was show you a tree you would have walked past in ignorance. How quick you are to call me companion, then quick to assume the command of me you deny with your mouth. Why can't you just be honest with the both of us? I said I would serve you, willingly. Are you not well served by this new knowledge? Or would you rather I keep everything from you, let you blunder right past things my senses easily see?"

[jedric]

So I've hurt your delicate feeligns have I? Oh dear, how sad, never mind!

Baarak’s manner is deceptively mild as he continues.

"Indeed, companion you are to me, and as things stand you are nothing more than that. Should I decide you have become a hindrance then I may very well decide to dispense with your companionship." Baarak retorts calmly.

There is something to what she says. I can't deny it and if I'm honest I'd have been suspicious even if she'd informed me beforehand, but that said, I prefer suspicion based upon knowledge given rather than knowledge withheld. How do I reconcile the fact that even though she has admitted she knows this tree, she still claims that this meeting is a coincidence.

With no preamble he launches into a question, although he smiles as he speaks.

"You assert then that our presence here is pure coincidence, that we stand before Teyawahnee, this particular seed of Yggdrasil by chance. Do I have your assurance that I was not led or guided here to this place by yourself, no matter how subtly? As I have said I had no intentions of coming this way, and I believe that I would have noticed such a place even were I ignorant of its importance."

[Wired*Nun]

"I cannot tell what is coincidence, but I tell you truthfully that I did no more than recognize where we were, and take the opportunity that presented itself. If not chance, then some other is influencing you. I did not guide us here, to my knowledge." She turns, then, and retrieves her horse by the reins. Brushing a spot more or less clean, and taking off the saddlebags, she sits on the roots of the ancient ash.

"I also see that I am out of the frying iron, and into the fire, however mild it may be. I think I will take you up on your offer. Consider me a hindrance. Consider me dispensed. I shall stay here. Perhaps a more suitable master will find me." Rummaging in the saddlebags, she soon is munching on a piece of hardtack.

[jedric]

Damn her, she seeks to take the moral high ground!

Baarak snorts and bows melodramatically.

"I shall of course not seek to gainsay you, after all our meeting was completely above board, and our relationship did start with utmost truth and verity. Why would I ever be suspicious of your motives?"

Baarak steps back a pace and with a smile and a short nod comments.

"I wish you well for all that... Frayk come."

He places his free hand upon the trees trunk for some seconds.

My apologies, I fear we are both too stubborn to yield, I hope you will not think ill of me

Standing upright Baarak takes the reins of his horse and mounts up, with a whistle for Frayk he kicks the horse into a canter.

[Wired*Nun]

Valnya colors a bit, but raises her nose and retorts, "When you have been made a bondslave for longer than a mortal lifespan, come preach to me of lies and truth, and I will tell you of reason and forgiveness. Get thee behind me, Baarak. Better the devil I know, it appears." Her eyes are bright, but proud, as she stares after him.

To Baarak, Teyawahnee replies, I will think upon my impressions. Perhaps at some later time I will have decided whether to think ill of you or no. In any case, I thank you or whatever fate has brought my friend back to me for a time. Remember me when you pass this way again, or look for my siblings among the Shadows. Fare thee well.

[jedric]

And so it ends, bright Valnya gone, but not forgotten. Inevitable really, I do not, will not trust so easily, not while there is doubt, and while she seems incapable of speaking truth doubt will persist, how can I not misdoubt her when she is transformed from a cowed beaten thing into a hellcat in such a short span?

Baarak rides away, heading into shadow once more. His brow furrows as he concentrates.

Let us test this valleys and peaks vision of shadow, let us see if I can sense anything.

He rides at a decent speed, not hellriding but shifting fairly rapidly. His mind is bent upon sensing the nature of shadow, feeling its texture.

[Wired*Nun]

Nothing has changed, but everything is different, now that he is thinking about things in a new way. The peaks he has always sensed more as areas of improbability, the valleys and passes, as those sensible ways to shift. In fact, he sees that traveling the easiest, most convenient ways naturally stays to the "valleys."

The "peaks" are what are encountered when hellriding - shortcutting across improbable areas, with things like moving rocks or water that runs upward. This is more difficult because the probabilities are fewer, the options less numerous, and the going less hospitable. This begs the age-old question - have the travels of shadow-walkers such as himself reinforced the probability paths of a once-featureless shadowscape, much as the trade routes were laid down in the Golden Circle?

Are we channeled, just as the tree said - most likely to take the natural paths just as if I walked through a forest - harder, but still convenient, to walk on the flats, but only of necessity do I climb steep slopes, or even scale a cliff just to get the view from the top?

[jedric]

Channeled? If so by what? A force like the wind or sea currents, or a mind?

Baarak frowns in thought but coming to a dead-end focuses ones mind. Baarak decides to get moving in earnest.

Where to now, onward, shall I travel to Amber or shall I wander? I have no plan of action now... No, not Amber, I shall seek another of Ygdrassil's get

With this thought Baarak presses on into shadow, seeking something akin to Teyawahnee

[Wired*Nun]

Channeled, perhaps, by the paths of probability, reinforced by the travels of those who shift the shadoes, like trails through a wood made by walkers. Like the swirls of sand dunes, blown high and low by the changewinds of shadow-storms, by the intentional and unintentional manipulations of everyone and everything that can...

In a surprising short time, less than two hours of ordinary shifting, more or less across the lines of polar longitude, coming neither closer nor going farther away from Amber or its opposite, Baarak comes upon another great ash tree. This one stands on a low hill barely up to the name, rising perhaps ten feet above the water level of the marshland around it. Shifting himself a spit of drier land, he soon stands about three hundred yards away, at the edge of the island-like hill.

However, with the final location of the tree, with its murder of ravens, comes a village of some kind of aboriginal people, in tents of hides wrapped around stackes of long poles, to form cones. The settlement, perhaps nomadic, rings the tree, and it won't be long before the people notice his approach - if he hasn't been noticed yet. Frayk stands quietly by, even though there look to be dogs roaming the village along with the people.

[jedric]

A happy little idyll if ever I saw one, let's take a look at them

Baarak dismounts and leads his horse forward. He positions his mount such that it is broadside to the camp and as such Baarak stands upon the horse's left. Cupping his right hand near his mouth he hollers out a greeting.

"Hello the camp!"

He then places his right hand upon his hip, near to his blade.

He waits.

[Wired*Nun]

The camp explodes into a flurry of activity, a pack of dogs running out ahead to bark frantically, and a double dozen men in leather pants, with bare torsos, feathers in their hair and spears, bows, and knives for weapons spread out to cautiously approach. Frayk's hackles rise and he growls menacingly.

One young warrior runs forward to within ten feet, spear held high, to scream at him in an unknown language, a threatening challenge apparently, or a demonstration of fearlessness. After this, the rest of them stop ten paces away, as if waiting on Barrak's reply.

[jedric]

Great, a bunch of savages, but then they're only being cautious and not overly aggressive given that I'm probably quite strange looking to their eyes.

Baarak calls Frayk to heel and holds up his right hand, palm open, he smiles.

"I come in friendship... can anyone here understand me."

If your friends move to attack then I'm afraid you are a dead man my young buck!

[Wired*Nun]

The warrior doesn't seem to be mollified, and screams a battle cry, charging forward to try to strike Baarak with his fist.

[jedric]

Here we go... He has a spear but raises a fist. Something of a ritual perhaps? A fist won't kill me so....

Baarak stands his ground and makes no move to avoid the blow.

[Wired*Nun]

The man strikes Baarak with his hand, on the side of the head, then screams once more in his face. Then he stops, staring intently into his eyes.

At Baarak's stoic response, he snorts, then backs up, speaking a sentence of gibberish. The semicircle of men relax, then turn back to the village. A couple of the younger ones can't seem to help themselves, glancing back at Baarak curiously, as if to see if he will follow. Their dogs relax as well, and the pack breaks up to sniff the ground around.

[jedric]

A test within a test!

Baarak moves forward slowly, leading his horse. He keeps his blade unencumbered the while.

His face remains passive although he winks at one of the youngsters.

[Wired*Nun]

The child laughs and smile back, running up to touch the chest strap on Baarak's horse in wonder. While there are horses tethered in the camp, they seem to have nothing on them but a kind of bridle worked from leather. Bareback riders, then.

The man who struck him motions for him to sit on a leather stool near their central fire, over which fish are smoking, held on long sticks. The man takes a fish from one of the drier ones, and splits it in half, handing the head portion to Baarak. He begins eating, and makes some gestures Baarak recognizes as some kind of sign language.

Probably some kind of universal method of communication among different...tribes? Groups?

It resembles in part a set of signs Baarak learned long ago in Shadow, and it isn't long before redimentary communication is established.

You. Come. Why? Seek? Want?

[jedric]

Straightforward and to the point, simple honest people these... do they have a reason for being here? Will I break a taboo in trying to touch the tree?

Baarak nods in response to the man's gestures and tries to act out his reason for being here.

Seek tree, worship-touch-pray.

Holding himself ready he remains outwardly calm, giving no sign of tension.

[Wired*Nun]

The man gestures, yes, yes, talk, tree.

Apparently this is pleasing to these people, and they gather around, surrounding him in friendly crowdedness, moving him in human Brownian motion toward the ash tree.

When they get close, they all crowd to put their hands on the tree, and if not on its bole, then on each other, smiles on their faces.

They leave a spot open for him, faces filled with sublime happiness.

[jedric]

Great, they want to listen in

Baarak smiles and moves forward placing his hand upon the tree.

[Wired*Nun]

Greetings, seed of Oberon. I am called Cuyapaipe-ne by these people. The ravens have brought word of your travels from my brother Teyawahnee. You are welcome here.

Baarak feels a mental rustling, an excitement among all the gathered minds. Seed of Oberon! A valued thing! A time of amazement! He walks among us!

They know of your kind from me. They know of you as demigods. You are the Sprits-Made-Flesh.

[jedric]

Baarak frowns, and smiles simultaneously.

Thank you Cuyapaipe-ne, and greetings to you, I come seeking knowledge

Baarak tries to tune a part of his thoughts into the frequency used by the tree, modulating them away from the human listeners.

OOC: Don't know if that's possible but here goes!

My time speaking with Teyawahnee has caused me to reconsider my view of the universe, do you think you might be able to answer some questions?

[Wired*Nun]

I sense you do not wish to share your thoughts. They will be disappointed but they will accept.

Please, ask as you will.

[jedric]

Baarak allows the savages to withdraw before speaking.

I am curious as to the reason for your being, other than to simply be, do you consider that Oberon intended for you, and your brethren, to have a function?

[Wired*Nun]

Of course. At the start, I believe he was merely doing a favor for Yggdrasil, to spread his seed. Later, when he caused the ravens to nest in our branches and speak with us, it was to create a network of spies throughout Shadow. The Ravens allowed us to speak with each other, as well...a fair trade.

We kept ourselves secret for millenia, but we were lonely. When we heard Oberon was dead, we decided to reveal ourselves. We are enriched by contact with your kind.

I sense you also wonder about our future 'function.' I believe it is a dilemma of all living things that they wonder about their 'function', their purpose. I have no clear answer for you yet. Perhaps after a few more millenia I will discern the answer.

[jedric]

Baarak frowns and shakes his head.

Do others of Oberon's get know of the spawn of Ygg? I am an outsider, a starnger to my own kin, so I wonder...

I cannot help but wonder, what would my uncles and aunts seek to use them for, my cousins even, is the information they own of sufficient worth to warrant the attention of Amberites?

[Wired*Nun]

Several know, perhaps only a spray of branches. Only a very few speak with us regularly, and even then, usually only as curiosity.

[jedric]

Baarak thinks on this for some seconds.

Do you not worry that you may be used, your knowldge abused in some way, forgive my cynicism but I feel I know the nature of my family well enough to warrant asking this

[Wired*Nun]

Of course...but what choice have we? Any one of us could be chopped and burned by one of your kind at any moment. I fear we have not the same sense of self-preservation as you, either. While I prefer to exist onward, it is not the imperative that the fauna posess. Collectively, we are cast so far and wide that we will always be here, somewhere, some of us. We must live within our limitations.

[jedric]

Baarak cannot help but chuckle.

You make a valid point, one I should have considered... please, I have a request, is there aught you can offer to me in way of news of my kin, I have been seperated from them for a long time you see

[Wired*Nun]

I can tell you much...of which kin do you wish to hear? For I could convey news absorbing many lifetimes of men, beginning with the life of Oberon. Shall I confine myself to the recent past - say, the last year as I know it? And to what kin? The children of Oberon? The children of men, or of your cousins of Chaos? I am not asking speciously, but your question is overbroad.

[jedric]

Baarak grins, he cannot help himself. Holy shit, can he/it know so much?

Collecting his thoughts Baarak places his free hand upon the trunk of the tree.

Can we start with the last season or so? In all honesty I have has little dealings with my family and so much of what you could tell me would perhaps be meaningless… wait have you aught to tell of Bleys?

Baarak’s expression becomes almost wary now as he waits for Cuyapaipe-ne’s response.

[Wired*Nun]

Of Prince Bleys have I heard nothing in the last season. The recent news of him was of his fall from the stair of Kolvir, then his presumed participation in the Patternfall conflict. He was last seen passing beyond the Golden Circle mounted and set for travel, a little more than a year ago. I am sorry, it is so little.

[jedric]

I had heard similar reports, thank you... tell me Cuyapaipe-ne can you tell me aught of Amber, how does she fair this last year or so, do my kin live in harmony or is there discontent?

[Wired*Nun]

Of the common people, it seems all is well, and prosperous. Your King rules well, and diplomacy seems to be his strong point.

There is trouble in the Golden Circle, however, centering on the kingdom of Kashfa, which is ruled by the Traitor's son Rinaldo. The reports there are of discontent from the people, an increasingly autocratic rule, assassinations and fear. The Queen Nayda may be at odds with her husband, and a house divided against itself must soon fall.

Gerard's son Joss, newly-discovered, was killed by an assassin, from Kashfa in all likelihood. However, vengeance has been stayed by the Crown, to focus on another thing called Nightmare. This being appears to be some blending or crossbreed of the Serpent and Unicorn, and its purposes are unknown. My brothers have sighted it in many places, going to and fro on the earth.

This being is associated with something called Maze, which seems to mimic some aspects of the Pattern. Versions of it have appeared in many places, including the Golden Circle, the Black Zone, the Keep of the Four Worlds, the Story Realms, the Industrials...many places indeed.

Even now the forces seem to be gathering about Amber in preparation to deal with this new aspect of reality.

[jedric]

Baarak stiffens slighlty as he hears this news. His face remains steasdy though and finally he grins.

It seems my own troubles are small and inconsequential compared to what is happening at the centre of things... Tell me, is there reason to suppose that the Courts of Chaos are involved in this in any way? Is this Nightmare known to be a power or do some think it may be something or someone meddling in affairs that should be best left untouched?... I am sorry, but your news is rather provocative!

[Wired*Nun]

They are undoubtably involved in several separate capacities, not as a bloc. Reports I have of a number of individuals from the Courts, including their King, in some way involved.

I do not fully understand your last question. This Nightmare is some kind of personage or creature of great power. It is associated with the Maze, the Keep and its Fount. It has worshippers, adherents, associates, acquaintances and enemies, as any such thing must draw.

[jedric]

Baarak sighs, and dropping his head he closes his stares down at his booted feet.

Thank you, that is what I meant I suppose, is Nightmare a being of Power... One last question if you please, and pardon me if I seem paranoid, but are you aware of any adherents of the Nightmare, by name I mean

As he asks this question Baarak attempts to project images showing, in edited form, the events of his past few days - the Scarecrows, the dead Wicker Warlock/Shamen, Valnya and Mikel and finally Baarak and Valnya's visit with Teyawahnee.

[Wired*Nun]

None of them are, to my knowledge, associated with Nightmare. I know of Valnya and Mikel. We have been trying to help her when we can, without Mikel's knowledge. That man is filled with anger and cruelty.

We have heard names of Nightmare's associates, but it is difficult to be sure what their true relationship is. We have heard the names Siodmak, Asmundson, Deela, Dalt, Jasra and Rinaldo as worshippers or adherents or supporters.

[jedric]

Baraak stills his mind as he listens.

I must think on these things my friend, and I mean friend, please let your kind know that I wish them no ill...

Baraak’s mind begins to show a glow of humor as a thought occurs to him.

Irony is a great and powerful force, let none say otherwise, for today you have planted a seed within me, a seed of the mind, of curiosity... Although I feel the need to depart and find the truth behind your news I will try to return when I may, farewell seed of Ygg

With that Baraak steps back from the tree and turns toward the camp, slowly he walks to his horse and mounts up [assuming he isn't hindered], he kicks the horse into motion and heads into shadow for a short distance before stopping in a secluded glen.

He dismounts and hobbles his horse hastily, then quickly rummages through his gear in search of his Trumps. Quickly he finds his father's card and attempts to initiate contact.

[Wired*Nun]

The Trump call opens to blackness, and a spoken, "Bide a moment." The voice is not his father's but the thoughts behind it are.

A moment later, vision is granted, showing him in a half-familiar study, pipe curling smoke at his elbow.

That ever-threatening grin breaks out for a moment, then is deliberately hidden behind a more sustained form of amusement.

"Hello, you. How are things?"

[jedric]

Baarak grins and shrugs before speaking.

"Mixed as ever dad. I've enjoyed relative peace until late, peace in the sense I got what I wanted, when I wanted, although it has to be said being hounded by animated scarecrows, a demon possessed young lovely and her Chaosian master have complicated things a tad just now..."

Baarak becomes more serious and subconsciously leans forward as he speaks.

"Listen though, I was wondering if you had any light to shed regarding something called the Maze, and a creature going by the sobriquet of the Nightmare? They're a real pair of lovelies according to Cuyapaipe-ne!"

[Wired*Nun]

"Relative peace, peace with relatives? Even distant ones on the Chaos side of things, but at what price? You've avoided making enemies until now by avoiding. Sounds as if life's catching up with you." He draws a mouthful of smoke, then exhales sideways. "That's all right, enemies keep you from getting soft and slow. I know, I've got a bunch of them myself."

"Listen though, I was wondering if you had any light to shed regarding something called the Maze, and a creature going by the sobriquet of the Nightmare? They're a real pair of lovelies according to Cuyapaipe-ne!"

"Your source is just well enough informed to hint at the truth, whatever that is. I've a bigger piece of it, but I'm not going to talk about it over even the most secure Trump. There are other things we need to chat about as well. Why don't you come here, and I'll fill you in." He stands and holds out his hand.

[jedric]

Baarak raises an eyebrow and grins in response to Bleys' assertion that he Baarak, has avoided danger and the gathering of enemies, partly annoyed and partly aware that his father is correct.

He hesitates for a second when Bleys reaches for him, his face showing the uncertainty.

Dammit, I called him! What's wrong with me?

Then with a shrug Baarak takes his father's hand and steps forward.

[Wired*Nun]

He arrives in a study-like room, lots of books, fireplace, a desk - and his father.

A brief embrace, and he waves Baarak at a seat. "There's a meeting in Amber tonight. The Family is getting together to talk about the Maze and Nightmare, as it happens. Let me fill you in..."

He summarizes common Family knowledge - whatever was reported by investigators - about Maze and Nightmare, including its existence, multiple manifestations, uses, onetime location at the Keep, now moved somewhere and current lack of potency; manifestations of Nightmare, speculations on its origins, its recent appearance, and so on.

"That's the gist of what most will know. You want to come along, meet some relatives? Get in the game?" He leans back, looking speculatively at his son.

[jedric]

Baarak frowns and shrugs, “I suppose I should meet them some time… Its just that this all seems too convenient somehow!”

He mentally reviews everything that has happened over the last few days.

Definitely some questions to be answered, but could he have set all this up?

Suddenly Baarak grins, “Alright, let’s do it. Is there anything I need to know beforehand?”

[Wired*Nun]

Baarak frowns and shrugs, “I suppose I should meet them some time… Its just that this all seems too convenient somehow!”


"How's that? Family meeting, you're family. You can give it a miss, if you like. Or, you can stay in the shadows...but if you do, and take a hand later, there will be some who might take offense that you chose that path. Sometimes if you stay in the middle of the road you get run down by both sides."


Suddenly Baarak grins, “Alright, let’s do it. Is there anything I need to know beforehand?”


"What, besides everything I've been briefing you on for the past two hours? Yeah, a lifetime's worth...all right, all right, I'll turn it off." He flashes that grin.

"I'm in pretty good with the Crown right now, and to be frank...that suits me. I've always been on the side of Amber, and changing governments is generally bad for any nation, especially if sudden or violent. As long as you keep Amber's interests in mind, and my own...hell, you've been your own man for some time now. It's up to you to know if you want to trade some of your independence for power, information, family ties...reciprocation, even friendship as far as that goes."

He taps out his cooling pipe, punches Baarak lightly in the shoulder. "Don't sweat it...I have faith in you."

[jedric]

Baarak watches his father for any signs of ulterior motive, but not surprisingly he sees none.

Am I becoming paranoid? I chose to come to him, yet... could he have made this happen, am I a dupe, or merely a bumptious ass

With a grin and a shrug Baarak comments.

"At least one of has confidence in me... When do we make the introductions?"

[Wired*Nun]

"At the dinner...I'll send word ahead to the majordomo for a place to be set at my side, if that's what you want. Or we can put you by rank down the table, let them wonder until I introduce you to everyone. What is your preference?"

[jedric]

Baarak nods his head thoughtfully and then answers quietly, "A splurge would have been nice, but at the moment incognito appeals to me."

.

[Wired*Nun]

"I suppose I don't have to introduce you at all. I have to notify the Crown, but you can remain incognito as long as you can pull it off. Do you want me to introduce you formally to everyone, or only to the King?"

[jedric]

Baarak watches his father; a grin starts to appear but gets no further than his emerald eyes before it lapses into a frown.

"Perhaps incognito was a poor choice of words, a low-key entrance and introduction would suit me better I think, but by all means the king should be first to know of my presence."

Why do I always feel as if he is testing me, I am no child to be treated so

Baarak sits back in his chair and begins drumming his fingers upon the arm, his head held down slightly, he remains silent for some seconds.

"Have you a preference father, is there a role I should take upon me with my kin, would you have me appear the dilettante perhaps or the ingénue, or heaven forefend I might even play myself true?" he smiles slightly as speaks.