Pax: Market Day (Chyril 26 TT) - (open)

[Guido Cercatoro]

(OOC: this is open to all...)

In the centre of the main square of Pax stands a large stone cube. As with many of the other buildings in the town, it appeared mysteriously overnight. The cube is made out of the same stone as the new walls of the town and is double the height of an average human male. All visible sides are smooth and unbroken, with no signs of doors, entrances or anything else of note. Whether it has some hidden function or is merely a sculpture is unknown.

In the middle of the main square, a mere few paces away from the Stone Cube, is another strange sight - a sword in a stone. The hilt of the sword is fused into a large rock which is itself fused into the ground. It is rumoured that the sword was placed there by a great mage who defended the town from a huge fireball that threatened to wreak considerable damage.

On one side of the main square stands the remains of a wooden shack that was recently destroyed. It is said that a ferocious fireball hit the building and burrowed a large tunnel deep into the ground. Certainly, the remains of the shack bear the signs of a great fire and what remains of the building is little more than a collapsed shell. An adjacent building also bears some minor signs of fire damage. It is rumoured that a large cave has been discovered at the end of the tunnel. The Provost, Marcel Sanguine, has put a guard on the building and no-one is allowed access without his permission.

***********************************************************************************
Chyril 26th was market day in Pax and many stalls had been set up in the main square of the town. Some of the stalls had their canopies propped against the side of the strange stone cube that now dominated the square, whilst others were scattered around the edges of the square, even spilling over into side streets. Most of the stalls were operated by farmers bringing their produce to sell in the town. However, there were a number of more unusual stalls. Of particular note were three stalls: an untidy table covered with strange looking contraptions alongside which stood two elderly looking gnomes; a small table behind which sat a nattily-dressed, moustached man rifling a deck of cards and, thirdly, a stall operated by two arguing dwarves which appeared to contain a selection of strange rocks strewn across a few upturned wooden pallets.

By early tradetide, the square was busy with citizens seeking to buy goods from the stalls. A number of guards stood unobtrusively around the edges of the square. In one corner of the square lounged several young achadheil, apparently playing a game involving tossing stones into a circle marked on the floor.

[Kaelara Mentahn]

Arriving early, an odd little puppy trotting at her heels, Kaelara wound her way among the market booths, listening to the chatter of farmers, housewives, children, and those standing around enjoying the excuse to wax eloquent about whatever had taken their fancy.

The diminutive Adhiel shopkeeper traversed the crowd carefully, an aura of casual confidence wreathing pert features and an easy, graceful tread. Her slender, feminine form was neatly garbed in a flattering blue bodice that topped a simple, cream-colored skirt hemmed just above the ground. Too pale to be called golden, too dark to be called platinum, her wheaten hair was knotted in a large bundle at the nape of her neck, a few of the shorter, looser strands framing the clean lines of her distinctly Adhiel features.

Never one to stay silent for long when she encountered a familiar face - be it a fellow merchant on the council, or a regular customer - she found herself exchanging pleasantries in the hopes of discovering their opinions. Always, after a few moments of discourse, she presented a revolving number of thoughts, letting slip the offer the Provost had made... and then puzzling it over aloud.

"I think there is great potential in the idea, but if others did not, it would be quite the empty honor..." or she might say, "if I did accept, what concerns would you want brought to his attention?" She hoped the responses to these tenor of comments would aid her in deciding to accept the Provost's offer... for when all was said and done, the thought of being involved in the city's guidance appealed greatly to her.

Rumors of a large contingent arriving through the portal that morning abounded, but Kaelara could not hope to pick out those unfamiliar faces immediately, and the details varied so greatly she was rather intrigued despite herself. Until something of note caught her eye, however, she found herself drawn to the strange items found along the gnome's booth. Enough work for now, surely there'll be something amusing here...

Every so often she would pass a little treat from one of two pouches at her waist to the puppy, making sure he stayed close.

[Guido Cercatoro]

Kaelara’s puppy bounded along at her feet as if it was excited by the hustle and bustle of the market. Most of the adheil’s acquaintances appeared somewhat nonplussed by her revelation that she had been asked to become an advisor and merely shrugged their shoulders. However, one or two business persons that she encountered regarded the offer as more interesting, glad that one of their own might have more influence in the city. They intimated that measures were needed to promote trade and explore the resources of the surrounding mountains more thoroughly. The only sour note the adheil detected was from a young achadheil who overheard her conversation with a businesswoman. “Perhaps he’ll make you an honoury human,” muttered the long-faced youth before stalking off.

Approaching the strange stall set up by the gnomes, the adheil was immediately aware that the two elderly gnomes were deep in discussion. One was holding a small wooden box with a large key sticking out of one side and a soft pad attached to the top.

As she regarded the gnomes, a black raven swooped down from the sky and landed on the stall. It picked up a strangely shaped piece of metal that stood on the table, cast a beady eye at the puppy and then flew off. “Quorth,” it croaked as it gained height. Nice shiny object. Quorth likes shiny objects. The two gnomes were far too engaged in their discussion to notice the bird.

[Kaelara Mentahn]

The apathy of those she met left Kaelara feeling mildly discouraged, and somewhat put-out. Can't they see the benefit? Do they not grasp the triumph of such an offer, regardless to whom it was given? It was somewhat of a relief to hear the feedback from the handful who seemed to care enough about the city to have an opinion.

Even the achadhiel, who muttered before sliding off in a sulk, garnered more respect from her than the others, though it sparked a flicker of anger quickly squashed. Before he could move beyond earshot, she leveled a quip of her own in his direction, tone carefully lent more amusement than offense.

"I would think such a matter to your liking, kinsman, seeing as you claim more than just an honourary nod to that race." Hoping to appear unruffled, she ended her conversation and moved on, lips curling with amusement at the capering puppy dogging her heels.

As she cast her attention towards the gnome shopkeepers, the lurking Raven caught her attention out of the corner of her eye, and with brazen confidence, she watched it snatch it's prize.

"Shoo... you foolish creature..." despite her efforts, accompanied by a vague flapping of her hands, the winged shadow flit away freely, unconcerned about her disapproval. "Sirs... the bird...?!" Hoping to catch the Gnomes' attention, she pointed one long finger towards the animal just flying away. Being a shopkeeper herself, she thought it only right to draw notice to the event - should some of her own inventory go missing, she would certainly hope to know.

Giving up the bit of metal as a loss, however, she was rather intrigued by the strange contraption that seemed to have elicited a hearty discussion between the two gnomes, and at the earliest opening, she inquired after it.

[Guido Cercatoro]

The young achadheil responded to Kaelara’s jibe with a stony glare but offered no further comment as he stalked away.

"Sirs... the bird...?!" Hoping to catch the Gnomes' attention, she pointed one long finger towards the animal just flying away.

As the bird flew away, Kaelara’s puppy jumped up on the table, its mournful eyes gazing in the direction of the departing raven.

One of the elderly gnomes, who sported a rather splendid but rather unkempt grey beard, frowned as the adheil’s cry interrupted his conversation. However, his irritation quickly turned to anxiety as he caught sight of the departing bird. “Jerome, the bird has stolen the flanglet for the occulator.”

The other gnome, slowly and jerkily glanced up from the box he was holding. The adheil could almost hear the creaks in the gnome’s joints as he moved. When he spoke, his voice was equally creaky.

“Bugger,” he said. “That’s a real bugger. I had to dismantle that from an old dimpometer I found. Are you sure it was the flanglet?”

“Yep,” said the first gnome but he looked a little uncertain as he glanced around the table. “Could have been the Grimmet, I suppose. No, that’s still here. It must have been the flanglet.”

Jerome shook his head sadly. “Can’t get craftsmen to make ‘em. Not like they used to.” His gaze fell on the puppy. “Animals all over the damn place today. Does the dog want a flanglet as well. Or, perhaps he wants my soundbox.” He tapped the strange contraption he held.

“Is this your dog, madam?” The old gnome spoke to the adheil in an accusatory voice.

[Kaelara Mentahn]

The Adhiel listened to the gnome's exchange with a puzzled air, completely lost among the unpronounceable words being handed left and right. A whatsit? In the confusion, it was not until the gnome's exclamation and sharp gaze that she realized the puppy had clambered upon the table.

"Biet!" Her exclamation, though not harsh, was firm as her gaze latched onto the overly-curious puppy at the gnome's direction. Hoping she wouldn't startle him into knocking any items from where they were arranged, she cast her arms wide, seeking to carefully scoop up her mischievous companion. The contrast, of earth-bound puppy and free-flying Raven was not entirely lost on her, and her words in gentle Adhiel echoed the comfort she sought to convey. "Come now, little one, you'll have time to romp later, perhaps..." her hands echoed the thoughts with a gentle rub behind the ears, should she be successful in gathering him in.

Shifting to common, the shopkeeper cast an apologetic look towards both Gnome's, before nodding to the elder.

"My apologies, sirs, he has not learned all the niceties of being about in public... I hope we have not interrupted what seems to be a serious discussion?" With another nod, she indicated the 'soundbox' he held, unable to quite restrain a flicker of curiousity.

[Guido Cercatoro]

Kaekara’s first attempt at grabbing the puppy proved a dismal failure, for he moved with surprising speed to evade her grasp. In the process the dog’s tail knocked over a tall, metal contraption which made a loud clang as it hit the table.

The splendidly bearded gnome put both hands on his head as he watched the device tumble. “No,” he shouted loudly, making a forlorn grab for the device.

Perhaps the puppy was contrite for his misdeed, for he quickly ran into the adheil’s arms as the gnome lurched towards the table.

“You’ve done it now,” creaked Jerome to Kaelara. “He spent ages attaching the sproglet to the whupple. Here, take this for a flicker. Listen to it if you want.” The gnome thrust the soundbox into the adheil’s hands whilst he moved to help his companion inspect the toppled contraption.

The soundbox was nothing more than a box with a large, metal key sticking out of one side and a soft pad on the top. There were no other markings or parts on the device.

[Kaelara Mentahn]

Arms and hands full of squirming puppy, Kaelara watched in horror as the gnome flung the... sound box... towards her. For a split flicker, it seemed she watched the situation from a distance, time seeming to slow as the figure-that-was-her jostled the puppy into one arm and, ever so slowly, stretched the other out to reach the strange box.

For that moment it seemed her finger-tips and palm caught the item, but an infinitesimal weight within it shifted, and she watched, incapable of reacting at that moment, as the cube tumbled from her grasp towards the ground.

Time resumed it's normal pace, as Kaelara, certainly, would not be dropping a living creature - the puppy - in favor of an inanimate whatchamacallit. Despite her dismay, a flicker of irritation rose in her and she exclaimed,

"Forgive me, had I known you would attempt to give me such I would have attempted to dissuade you. I would pay for the damage the puppy caused and take my leave of you..."

[Guido Cercatoro]

Laden as she already was with the animated puppy, the adheil looked aghast as Jerome thrust the soundbox in her direction. Inevitably, something had to give, and the box tumbled to the floor with a crash that caused the gnome to swivel his head back towards Kaelara. He bent down to retrieve the box, although it took him a little while to do so for his limbs were ancient and stiff. As he straightened up again, it was apparent that the box was damaged, for the key was bent at an awkward angle. The gnome shook his head and cast a beady eye at the adheil and her dog.

“Do you and your animal specialise in destruction, or is it just something you reserve for poor merchants trying to make an honest living?” The gnome sounded severe but after a few flickers, his lips parted and he let out a loud chuckle. “Oh well, it can all be repaired. Don’t worry, my dear, accidents will happen. Well to me at least.”

Jerome frowned and then peered towards the dog. “That is a strange animal. Where did you get him? Has he…er…wings?”

As the gnome spoke, Kaelara felt a slight tremble beneath her feet, as if a shiver had run through the very earth on which she stood. Some of the objects on the stall rattled but within a few flickers, the shaking had subsided.

[Kaelara Mentahn]

At the gnome's severed tone Kaelara's pert chin lifted, her flaring gaze angling down the length of a dainty nose, pride clearly piqued. There were few enough whom she towered over, but the adhiel shopkeeper was far from easily intimidated, however flustered she may have appeared only moments before. Well-shaped lips, about to part with a retort in kind, slid closed at the Gnome's chuckle, reined in firmly at the return of the Ancient One's good humor. Though her expression softened somewhat, the tight stretch of her shoulders betrayed the lingering offense of his accusations.

"Indeed, sir, as a fellow shop-keeper, I'm not entirely unaware of such difficulties. And it can be repaired?" She eyed the bent key dubiously, clasping the puppy firmly to prevent further escapades.

Already, Kaelara had grown so attached to the little creature, she eyed Jerome to assess whether it was pure curiousity, or perhaps the interest of one who collected odd and rare things.

"The cast-off of some misbegotten sorcerer, I understand, his rescuer passed away..." One arm rested beneath the puppy's rump, supporting his weight, while her free hand rested gently on his back, ready to tighten if he began to squirm. Slender fingers traced the space between the two stubs, scratching if it seemed pleasant to her tiny companion. "They certainly look somewhat like, do they not? But that certainly isn't his most endearing trait," tipping her head back slightly, she tried to eye the puppy gracing her shoulder, the elegant melody of her adhiel accent softening to almost lullaby tones as she reflected on the glorious little bird-like melody the puppy had sung at their first meeting.

"Sing for me, Beiten?" Amber eyes sought to catch his over-large puppy ones, her fingers seeking to cajole the puppy's comfort by scratching behind floppy ears and caressing at his pointed little chin. Don't worry little one, she thought, hoping he felt safe near her presence. He seemed to chirp and twitter more when happy, and she centered the calmness of her own spirit, which had so recently been irritated.

As she spoke, the trembling sensation grew underfoot, and she found herself uneasy upon her legs, before a puzzled glance met the gnome's, as if wondering if such were only her imagination. "Did you feel...?"

At that, her eyes darted around the square, as if some other sign might reveal the significance of that tremor.

[Elvin Motricé]

“I was there, I saw ‘em. I saw everything that happened.” The little girl clearly thought that her presence was a source of pride, for she puffed out her chest before she continued. “Anyhow, Savarak and his gang challenged ‘em and there was a big fight. One of the priests was a mage, girl she was and she created a great ball of fire. Wanted to destroy everything she did. Good thing there was a second mage there, for he managed to shift the fireball into the sky. But it still set fire to one house and created a big hole in the ground before everyone got together to put the fire out. They have a guard round the house now. Something horrible down there in that hole I expect.” She rattled through the story in quick fire fashion.

“Lots of dead bodies in the square there were. I saw ‘em all. Horrible it was.” The little girl shook her head. A grim look took hold of her face for a few flickers before she brightened once again. “Left a sword in a stone the mage did. Reckon he made it to protect us, I do. Nothing bad will happen while its there. That mage will see to it.”

“Don’t know nothing about the walls,” muttered the little girl. “Just appeared they did. Magic-like. Maybe it was the mage, wanting to protect us again.”

As the group reached the edge of the square, the little girl pointed towards a small stall, behind which stood a short round-face man. Various items of jewellery were laid out on a small table. On an adjacent stall, an adhiel with a puppy was chatting to two gnomes. Some of the metal objects on the gnomes’ stall rattled as a slight tremor ran through the ground of the square.

The Adhiel stopped dead in his tracks: "A mage? A ball of fire?" It took a moment before he recovered from his surprise and started walking again, casting a glance at Ulder. We'll have to learn more about that..." He remained silent and let the child finish before he asked her: "You wouldn't happen to know where we could find this mage that protected you?"

The Professor thought about all the things they knew. They just appeared... I guess I might have to use that again..." The tremor went not by unnoticed as well. [i]Something will go terribly wrong here if it isn't righted. This entire place is unstable. He waited, deciding to let Elaine take the lead on the jewels and questioning the child further. He gazed at the Adhiel who was talking to the Gnomes and wondered how life treated her in this strange city.

[Kaelara Mentahn]

OOC: Forgive me for posting again so soon, but I thought a little addition might be useful for those of you just entering.

IC: Despite her unsought visitations and visions of whatever haunted this city, Kaelara was, in truth, rather blind to the abilities of mages and sorcerers. Had she known one skilled in magic who could garner information of her feelings and 'aura' neared, she might have tried to bury her thoughts. But Seth was in such a strange league of his own, it did not occur to her that others with such abilities might be wandering about the town.

As it was, the dainty frame of the somewhat prim Adhiel, for all her staid appearance, didn't seem as if it could really contain the tangle of emotions that swam beneath that surface. There was a certain fierce pride that lingered and colored everything else, as if that little bit of aura caught and contained any uncertainty, fear, or suspicion that occasionally peeped elsewhere. Despite being surrounded my multitudes, and obviously not suffering for want, graced as she was with clean, well-cut garments... there was an undercurrent of loneliness, and depending on the sensitivities of those approaching... a little knot of bitterness at her core, as tightly bound and contained as any emotion possibly could be.

As Kaelara's eyes, a hazy amber, flickered across the crowd for a sense of what might have caused its unnatural trembling, her sharp gaze crossed the path of the still slightly distant trio and child. Elvin stood out, with his intricate, dragon adorned staff, but though her gaze moved on, at least momentarily, there was a sudden spike of curiosity and wariness, quickly contained.

Another mage? Her recent associations with such had been far from pleasant, though her eyes paused the briefest of flickers to ensure his cloak and garb were not the gray of those who had so recently caused difficulty.

[Ulder]

Ulder glanced back at Elvin as the little girl told her story. There were a l lot of little things in her tale that struck him as odd and he felt were clues to the problems these people faced.

The first was a name she used. Savarak. In his meeting with the Provost, that name had been painted on the side of a wall. It seemed that this Savarak had challenged these grey cloaks and been imprisoned for it. But there were some other factors at play. They had come to challenge the One Church to free Pax and here was an individual that had done just that. A very important question still lingered, but if the grey cloaks were indeed One-ist priests, then Savarak, and those who followed him were likely allies. It seemed hunting down these people in the wilderness was becoming more and more of a priority for the former Captain.

The next part she mentioned about the walls was perhaps even more curious.

Just appeared overnight? This must be some mage if he could summon a wall around an entire town. Elvin's head must be near to bursting with questions for this mage...

The tremor that shook the ground beneath them literally shook him from his thoughts.

Earthquake..?

When the tremor subsided, he checked on Elaine and Elvin to be sure they were well.

[Elvin Motricé]

The cloak he wore was of a grey fabric and the clothes beneath it were those of a seasoned traveller: a leather pants with fur lining and a grey woolen tunic. Elvin examined the Adhiel for several moments to get an impression of her, forgotten was the child and his companions for a moment. Such pride... I can well imagine it can keep you standing through all those hardships..." There were other things, small flashes of color that confused him and it took him several flickers to gauge their possible meaning. "Alone?"

He had been so engrossed studying her that the sudden burst of dull red surprised him and he realized that she was looking at him. He pulled back the hood of his cloak, revealing the distinct Adhiel features, almond green eyes, a thin face with a shadow of weariness lying over it. "Ulder, I think I'll talk to the lady over there," he wanted to say more but stopped, realizing that the child and man were listening as well. It wasn't polite to say that he felt more comfortable talking to a fellow Adhiel, "She reminds me of someone..."

She reminds you of someone? Good excuse... Really..." The sorcerer silenced the little voice in his mind as he walked over to Kaelara and greeted her in Adhiel: "Seodhiu ta eabh inaidha , good day to you, mylady."

OOC:Seodhiu ta eabh inaidha I salute the world in you (plural/respect)

[Elaine]

Elaine walked along, tapping the sides to get a mental picture of the city as they went through it. The new sounds and smells were distracting, yet appealing at the same time. The only real way to get to know the lay out was really to walk around alone, but how could she pass up a lovely stroll with these two?

Besides, the gang-story told her something about the atmosphere. Appearantly despite the newness of the city it was never early enough to start on different groups fighting each other.

Instead of standing togther.
Interesting. If I were charged with keeping a city occupied, I'd divide them to bother each other instead of bothering me.
And a mage involved? Heh, the walls just appeared. Well, that settles it. There is a city wanting to be remembered.

A tremor shook the earth lightly. Immediately Elaine stepped to the middle of the street, not wanting to get caught underneath something if this got worse...yet nothing else happened.

Blackbird?

"Did you feel that?" She frowned, wiping her pale hair from her face. Yet Elvin was more interested in the other people than what just happened. "Ulder, did anyone else react to this little shaking?" Her hand sought out her husband, counting on his observations to see how regularly these tremors happened in town.

[Ulder]

Ulder clasped his wife's hand quickly to let her know he was there.

"Yes, we felt it, Elvin too."

"The reactions I can see from here don't seem to be very strong, just a few bobbles of things here and there. I have no idea if that's normal or not. Elvin is speaking with one of the locals now."

Ulder looked around to see if there was any stronger reactions than what he was telling Elaine and to see what reaction the little girl was having.

[Guido Cercatoro]

The gnome confirmed that he could repair the sound box’s bent key without too much difficulty but appeared to be far more interested in the adheil’s animal. As Kaelara soothed the puppy, it made a cooing sound more akin to the sound of a bird than a puppy. “How fascinating,” muttered Jerome. He was about to say more when he clearly felt the tremor under his feet and turned to attend to the objects on his stall which rattled as the tremor grew slightly in force. The puppy ceased its cooing and, making a quiet frightened whimpering, it snuggled close to the adheil.

As Elvin, Elaine and Ulder arrived in the square they felt the tremor in the ground. The little girl appeared to notice it as did several of the nearby stallholders. However, the tremor soon subsided and the traders returned to their business.

The little girl shrugged at Elvin’s inquiry concerning the mage. “Sorry, I don’t know about the mage but that lady over there knows him.” The girl pointed an outstretched arm at the nearby adheil. “She was in the square when all the trouble occurred.”

Elvin made his way over to Kaelara and greeted her.

As the tremor finally vanished, sounds of consternation arose from the soldiers guarding the ruined building. Two of the guards rushed into the building and returned a few flickers later dragging out an obviously injured man. Behind the man staggered another two men, their faces black with grime. One of these men was also injured for he collapsed onto his knees holding one arm at a peculiar angle. A few words drifted across the square. “… the tunnel collapsed……still down there….”

[Kaelara Mentahn]

The suggestion of features within Elvin's cowl were quickly defined by daylight as he withdrew the folds that had shadowed his face. A pleasant face it was too, as much for it's kinship as it's handsomeness, and a little of that wariness dissipated upon his approach. Those garments are too practical for a religious fanatic, for all their dour grayness. Although Kaelara could not possibly know all of those in Pax, she prided herself on at least recognizing familiar faces, and these three together stirred nothing of familiarity. Yet, for all her growing tolerance for the ways of humans, and her burgeoning recognition of the Achadhiel as a manner of kin... nothing could diminish the pleasure of a meeting twixt Adhiel, even these uncertain rumblings of the ground.

"Ea ta seodhiu inaidha..." And you, in the world. Her amber gaze regarded his green one calmly, politely, before she detached herself from the gnome with a quiet word or two in the human tongue, the lyrical tones of the Adhiel language accenting the words, as if by doing so they might soften the practical harshness of its tones. Turning to Elvin once more, she inclined her head, a few fine strands drifting free of the wheaten bundle at the nape of her neck.

What some might find lovely, others might take as merely a result of her heritage, and average - and so it was with Kaelara's distinctly Adhiel beauty... the light, clear tones of her skin, the pert, delicate features, a slender frame that suggested a fragility that her firm gaze put the lie to.

"A pleasure, always, to meet a kinsman," she continued in Adhiel, and though her features bore a quiet, cool self-confidence, a flicker of true pleasure played about her lips. "though I daresay I would recognize you, have we met before, or are you newly come to this city?"

Though she seemed unconcerned with the disparity of their heights, her shoulders settled and her chin lifted ever so slightly, an unconscious hint that she was not one to take kindly to being 'meddled' with, should he have any such inclinations. One never knew, with strangers. The puppy cradled against one shoulder, it's narrow head nudging under her chin, eyed the speaker who used the same tones as his master, a large brilliantly-hued eye as strangely set in its face as the stubby, small appendages protruding from its back. A dainty hand half-hovered over the latter, almost protectively.

Once Elvin responded, the sounds across the square filtered towards them,

“… the tunnel collapsed……still down there….”

Her back to the ruckus, Kaelara half turned, clearly unable to hide how those words snatched her attention as soon as they wended their way across the market. The tunnel itself, mysterious and unexplored, while interesting enough, was nothing when compared to the thought that some might be in danger within it. Gods forbid, I am sick of people hiding behind considerations of 'acceptable losses'.

"My pardon, I cannot just stand by..." Her words faded as she deposited the puppy on the ground, hands flickering as she pointed down her leg, speaking a gentle command with accompanying reward from her pouch of treats. "Bietan, heel." With a glance towards Elvin, and an incline of her head if he too desired to investigate, she was off, walking swiftly, steps extending as far as the creamy skirts that swathed her legs would allow. Dark, well-oiled boots peeped from beneath the hem. If Elvin followed, he'd be privy to the quiet mutterings of the shopkeeper, her elegant brows narrowed with concern.

"...Honestus would stand by while the mark passed, the wax melted and cooled before fetching any semblance of thought on what to do..." Though what the small Adhiel woman might achieve was unknown, she was obviously determined to ensure something productive was taking place, though what authority she might have was anyone's guess. Though intent on the situation before them, any words of Elvin's own would not be disregarded.

[Trajan Constantine Aeneas]

After his meeting with Lieutenant Tameron, Trajan returned to his bunk and removed his uniform. His Rasday was once more free, and he now had business to see to in the Market Square. The blade the dead legionnaire had dropped was his, per Tameron's agreement, and he needed a sheath and baldric for it if for no other reason than that he couldn't go about with the thing drawn. That and you have other duties to discharge. He reminded himself silently. For the mean time he wrapped his spare tunic about the blade and cradled the weapon in the crook of his left arm as he exited the barracks and headed toward Market Square.

The Market Square wasn't such of a much, so to say, and not really a permanent market either. Rather it was the large central square, so recently the site of a riot sparked by Gray Robes and fueled by Pagan resentment and anger. That the Pax Honestus Sergeant on duty at the time had bungled the situation was subject of much scuttlebutt in the barracks, and Trajan hadn't seen the fellow since, he wondered idly if he had been busted of rank and been given into the service of the Forest Wardens. That thought cause a momentary twisting in his gut and Trajans usually dour expression darkened instantaneously as the thought of the dead man in the alley and their seemingly impossible battle in the street sprung to mind. “I'm sorry.” he apologized fervently to the dead man's spirit, “i didn't know, I didn't recognize you.” That, coupled with the geas laid upon by his deceased comrade left the usually taciturn Legionnaire even more withdrawn than usual. When he emerged onto the square he, paused for a moment, and cast about, searching for a likely purveyor of that which he required.

[Elaine]

Elaine frowned, holding on to Ulder for a few flickers more. Yet the rumbling subsided without anything actually happening. Clearly the people were used to it.

Earthquakes? In this area?

The ruckuss at the soldiers caught her attention over whatever might be said. "There's people in trouble!" She urged, turning towards the building and the guards. "People caught in the earth!"

The blind woman kneeled, putting a hand on the earth to feel her way through.

Mother earth
Father of the city
Once walking your world
Now trapped in your world
Guide them
Protect them
And we will see it through.

The little prayer found it's way to a melody and the young woman repeated it twice more, hoping with her heart that those trapped below might make it out with some help. It was no use trying to force the earth to do her bidding. First of all she was no goddess, second of all there was much more power in cooperation. Her only hope lay in the fact that the earth might listen and might agree.

And I will repay you. She silently added. Dear Mother, you know I will. Father of the city, I gave you my word.

[Elvin Motricé]

"So she knows him...", Elvin thought when he walked towards her, "This is going to prove more fruitful then I had hoped..." The customary introduction made the mage remember the last time he had spoken Adhiel to kin. Memories of finding a new sister, and of losing her almost immediately filled his mind. "Ah dear sister, I hope one day you'll understand..." the Adhiel lamented silently. He could sense her pleasure in meeting another Adhiel. It was akin to his own although it was a bittersweet moment for him, reminding him of his family which he had to leave, again.

The Professor wasn't a man who judged people on first appearances. Kaelara's gaze told the sorcerer all he needed to know. "A strong one. But will your strength be to your advantage or not in these environments?". He replied with a genuine smile: "The pleasure is mutual and no, I think we haven't met. My companions and I only recently arrived. We..." his eyes were attracted to the puppy whom he had ignored up until now. The stubs on the animal's back attracted the silver-haired sorcerer's attention. "What...

Before he could even start the thought the turmoil grew and he picked up the words. For a flicker the Adhiel couldn't decide what to do: "If I help then my powers will be revealed... If I don't help people might die if normal work can't free them...". That last thought finally convinced Elvin to go and investigate. He waved to Ulder to indicate he was going to check it out, his jaw set, concern clearly visible on his face. "If this goes wrong I hope you have the sense to pretend you don't know me, my friend..."

He turned around and paced after Kaelara. He didn't know about the Honestus thus her comments made little sense to him, he guessed these 'Honestus' were some sort of officials. He studied the scene in front of him and looked at the injured man though without some proper equipment he wouldn't be able to do anything for him. The mage sensed that Kaelara wanted to speak and quickly spoke up, feeling that as a resident of this city she shouldn't be too closely tied into this mess - he didn't trust these Humans after all...

"What is going on here?" he asked in that commanding tone of voice he so often used when seeing students lingering mischievously in the corridors of the University. He spoke the trade tongue quite well, two accents distinctly discernable in his speech, the inflections of World's Mouth and the Citadel, if anyone were able to recognize them.

In a chaotic situation it was best to keep everyone occupied. "You," he pointed to one of the soldiers, "get a healer for these injured men as soon as possible," both his tone and expression showed that he wouldn't tolerate any disagreement. Things needed to be organised quickly and efficiently, he hoped that the men's military training would take over. "At least I hope they're still taught to obey orders... After that display of the famed Emerald Guard I'm not too sure anymore..."

The Professor was used to command and student mages could sometimes be considered more dangerous then soldiers. After all, attending to someone who was trying to weave a fireball could prove quite hazardous to one's health...

[Ulder]

Ulder spent the next few moments standing over his beloved as she prayed. Once she stood up and seemed ready and fit, he guided her over to the injured man with what he presumed was a broken arm.

"Here is one of the injured." He said softly in his wife's ear, then he moved away and gave her space and freedom to do what she did best, listen and heal.

Elvin sent a soldier running for more healers, so Ulder felt it best to organize some sort of rescue attempt. From he'd been told, this was a new town, so there was bound to be people building new settlements here, so he was hoping to find tools. Shovels, picks, saws, anything they could use to help dig out those trapped below.

He shouted at the people, trying to get them to bring rakes, garden hoes, anything to help dig and recover. If they came, he organized them into groups, trying to get the right tools in the right spots.

[Guido Cercatoro]

As Kaelara and Elvin made their introductions, their attention was drawn by the commotion and shouts from the ruined building and they hurried to investigate. The puppy dutifully trotted at the feet of his mistress. At first sight it appeared to be an ordinary little dog with short brown and white hair, long dangling ears and a small stubby tail. However, on closer inspection it was evident that the animal had two flaps along its back which were wing-like in appearance. As it followed its mistress, it lifted its head and gave Elvin a penetrating glance with a pair of large, deep green eyes.

The scene within the ruined building was one of chaos. The man who had been carried out of the tunnel was laying on his back moaning loudly. The lower half of his face was scarred with deep, ugly gashes whilst one side of his shirt was covered in crimson blood. A soldier of the Pax Honestus was bent over the injured man but appeared to be doing little apart from offering some muttered words of comfort. The second injured man sat panting alongside him, cradling one arm which was clearly badly broken. Two other guards were talking with the third man who had escaped from the tunnel. He was a short, wiry man who appeared to be uninjured although his clothing was torn and grimy.

Elvin’s barked question received an immediate response from one of the guards, a small stocky man with a wispy grey beard. “The tunnel’s collapsed. Take care, there may be more tremors.”

“There are men trapped down there,” interjected the short man. “We have to go down and try to dig them out.”

“Too dangerous,” muttered the grey-bearded soldier. Despite his reluctance to enter the tunnel, the soldier responded positively to Elvin’s request to find a healer. “Yes, I will fetch one.” The guard trotted off, apparently grateful to be doing something other than contemplate going down the tunnel. The entrance to the tunnel lay towards the back of the building. However, a cloud dust hung in the air, obscuring the entrance.

*********************************************************************************
As his eyes searched the square, Trajan caught sight of a small stall which appeared to be selling sword sheathes and similar equipment. The stall was covered by a green and white striped canopy and was manned by a muscular looking man with thick arms who sported an impressive black moustache. The legionnaire was also aware of the commotion at the ruined building. A guard whom Trajan recognised ran fr0m the ruined building. As he passed the legionnaire, the soldier barked a few words. “The tunnel has collapsed. I’m off to get help.” The soldier continued on his way in the direction of the barracks.

*******************************************************************************

Kneeling, the blind achadheil felt the earth with one hand and sang her prayer. A string of sensations assailed Elaine’s thoughts.

A sigh… it sighed as if it was grateful for her touch……

A moan….. it moaned as if it had suffered a deep hurt

A cry… anxious and troubled

A wail… despair

As these thoughts swirled through her mind, Elaine could feel the touch of her hand move below the surface of the ground. It was if her hand was burrowing deeply, searching for the trapped men. And she found them. Two beating hearts. Two warm, gasping breaths of air. Trapped behind a wall of earth. Yet alive. And, for a flicker, the presence of her hand gave them comfort, for the gasping was replaced by a more measured sound.

And yet, there was more, there was something else. Something creeping through the earth towards her hand. Hunger.

Elaine could not resist jerking her hand from the earth and the sensations she had felt immediately vanished.

********************************************************************************

If his wife would allow him, Ulder would guide her over to the two injured men.

A small crowd had begun to gather at the edge of the ruined building. At Ulder’s behest, a few of them ran to gather digging equipment and anything else that might be useful.

[Elaine]

Elaine hissed, drawing her hand back as if being stung. Memories of a shadow creeping through the dungeons invaded her mind, making it very hard to think clear. The hunger was too familiar, the shadow too close.

"No..." It was only a whisper.

Ulder's hand steadied the here and now and the Achadhiel blinked her eyes. "Two more men, right underneath here! They need to be rescued NOW! Something...they are in danger!" It was so hard to keep the tremor out of her voice, yet life won over panick. "Get them out, please, before it's too late! Trapped behind a wall of earth. They are still alive. P-please hurry!"

She let herself be guided to the ones already out. "What happened." She asked softly, trying to get her mind wrapped around helping those out here instead of trapping herself with the ones down there...with the shadow.

Breathing slowly in and out the blind woman forced her system out of the panick, into a more helpful mode. She needed to know what happened in order to fully help the body heal itself.

Liar.
You just need more time to get out of the shadows.

[Kaelara Mentahn]

For the bare burn it took for the chaos to be assessed, the strangers heard and seen, each bearing an authority they had carried with them from whence they had come... she couldn't restrain a vague feeling of being pushed aside. While there was nothing wrong with what these strangers were doing... and in fact, their presence was somewhat of a relief after the apathy of so many... something about their assumption of command stirred up a sense of resentment, quickly pushed aside. Unworthy thoughts, foolish Adhiel.. Had the guard not already been jumping to obey the other Adhiel's words, she might have spent a choice few to spur him along.

A few steps from Elvin, her head swung around at Elaine's cry, and her own voice rose, the harsh tonalities of the human tongue gentled by her accent, but no less firm. Her eyes sought the shorter man who had spoken before, but her gaze flickered to all three of the newcomers, her pert adhiel features etched in seriousness as she pitched her voice to carry, hoping to forestall anything hasty. There was a firm authority of her own, though hers was due more to personal convinction and her common-sense reputation than experience or position.

"We cannot, must not rush in - I know little of mines, but we must ensure it will not merely collapse once again! For all we know, it is the blockage supporting the rest." Again her gaze swept across those gathered, resting finally on the miner. "Are you hale, sir? Could you direct them as they go to prevent a double tragedy? Unless you," her gaze spun to Ulder, her voice direct, "have such knowledge?" There was an unwelcome feeling that hovered about her shoulders, somewhat self-conscious at the presence of Elvin, another adhiel whom she hoped not to make a fool of herself in front of. Some disliked their intentions being checked, even if only by a few flickers of reason, and she knew little what manner of people these three newly arrived strangers were.

Elaine skirted on the edge of Kaelara's awareness after her initial outburst, the man at her side directing her to the injured in a way that drew an assessing glance. There was a sense of something vaguely different about her, some little detail that sought to catch at Kaelara's thoughts, but there was not time to pursue the memory that deemed the observation of import.