Post by TheScribe on Jan 16, 2014 2:37:00 GMT
xClaudiaRose has joined the chat
ArkinKardesh has joined the chat
xClaudiaRose: ~The shock of that embrace was tantilizing as she nestled her cheek along his upper chest... the small press of her lips to his skin as she spoke to him with a tender caress~ "It is good to have you home again Master we have missed you so much." ~Before she was released back to her knees if only a bit wabbly but she regained her balance and settled down against the carpet before him...~
Cul1wen: *Having put the two troublemakers to bed finally, after several small tantrums and a read story or two, the Scribe finally made her way into the main hall of her home, finding the time a bit too early to go and rest herself, still having an abundance of energy to spend, perhaps by continuing her work, which seemed like the most likely option to her.. .hearing voices inside, she grew curious as she made her way in, smiling contently under her veils to spot her Free Companion and the newly established first girl of the House.. .* "Tal, Arkin.. .claudia.. ." *She spoke in her usual calm and warm voice*
ArkinKardesh: - noting his Companion the Lady Abda entering he would incline his head in her direction as a like smile would greet her as well.. . finding the two he trusted the most in the fortification to be the first to greet him upon his return.. . pleased him more than he had anticipated as he felt a strange sense of pain in the left side of his chest region that subsided slowly to leave a strange, yet familiar warmth in the Warrior's chest cavity spreading slowly to his being.. . as he caste a glance at the girl kneeling before him.. . with the light of the braziers burn reflected in the dark eyes of the rarius.. . he would straighten and stand there observantly as His companion would approach and offer her a like greeting.. . - Tal, Abda, First Lady to the House of Kardesh.. . I am pleased to find you well.. .
Cul1wen: "I am.. .and hope you are as well" *Came the reply as she ascended the staircase with a slow, dignified pace.. .inclining her head lightly as she studied the two, by now, purely out of habit, or perhaps the need to keep a track of everything, even the smallest change in the enviroment around her.. .*
xClaudiaRose: ~Her ears picked up the sounds of slippered feet brushed against the tiled floor to the hush sound of the carpet then to the sounds of the woman herself... quickly and as graceful a motion as she could make it moved towards his right side.. and pressed her legs together as the cloth played its mysterious game of feather light touchs.... The sweep of pale wheat curls shimered as she moved tickling aross her back and shoulders...~ Tal Mistres
xClaudiaRose: Mistress*
ArkinKardesh: - he would take the gloved hands of his Companion and offer them a gentle squeeze as his eyes met hers for the first time in about 3 standard gorean months - the travel to Besnit bore fruit.. . it seems an alliance is still desired.. . and I met with the tatrix of Besnit and her brother whom she has declared First Axe.. . a remnant from their northern heritage though Besnit lies below the Northern Forest.. . they have agreed to open diplomatic relations with Fort Haskins and we will soon receive a visit from Our new allies and business partners.. . they are anxious to learn of gorean myths and legends.. . and I suggested you help with that.. . - he smiled.. . - also I would like the First Scribe and Magistrate of Fort Haskins to be present during further negotiations.. . then looked to the First girl of the House.. . and you will go with us.. . as there is no one I trust more on the chain of this House.. . -
Cul1wen: *With a smile, she let him take her hands into his, returning the squeeze.. .feeling delighted that he returned back home and that the long travel was not in vain, for she had missed him.. .though it may take some self-convincing to actually admit it, both to him and to herself.. .but for now, she nodded to his words, still holding his hands.. .and replied in the end* "If there is anything I can help with, then I shall.. ."
ArkinKardesh: so I think the cylinder of records will get busy as soon as we organise their learning.. .
xClaudiaRose: yes Master claudia will go with you she wouldn't know what to think if these people from Besnit's girls were rude to you or Mistress... claudia might just have to hunt the kitchen down... and teach them a thing or twoo.. ~The last little bit she spoke almost as if to herself but just loud enough to be heard....~
ArkinKardesh: - turns back to his map and studies the ancient scriptures in details yet only recognises some of the runes as they appear to be torvie ones.. . and not some he is familiar with.. . some names on the map appears to be archaic Tahari. .. yet again the former emissary is not able to translate it as though he knows the desert tongue of the dunes he is not familiar with the ancient lettering lost long ago.. . - an auidible, irritated sigh escapes his lips as he finds nothing of scripture on the scroll and map that holds any recognisable scripture.. . other than the torvie runic similarities and the slanted archaic looking taharian lettering.. . - curling the map back up.. . he looks to his companion.. . and states in a serious tone.. . - Does any of you know the runes of the Torvaldslanders.. . ?
Cul1wen: "I know some" *Said the scribe, returning the look as the settled herself in her seat.. .*
ArkinKardesh: - rising from the cushions he handed the ancient scroll to the Schendi Scribe, now his Free Companion, and First Magistrate to Fort Haskins, Cylinder of Records.. . - Take your time and read this.. . and come back to me with what you find.. . - he inclined his head.. . - I need to know if this is the Map of Bila Haruma that leads to the ruins of the temple found on his voyages past the lakes of the Ukungu.. . - they should be placed somewhere on top of what is now know as the Bila Haruna Falls.. .
Cul1wen: "Why would.. .Torvaldslanders make a map for the Ukungu region.. .?* "She asked confused as she recieved the ancient scroll with delicate care, making sure the parchment wasn't damaged by her touch.. .giving it a first glance as she did so*
xClaudiaRose: Perhaps for the trade of red salt.... Mistress... ~She spoke only softly she had seen many of the old Tahari writings in Treve due to the fact that the red salt that was brought in came by a man from Kasra~
ArkinKardesh: I think a clever scribe as the explorer is trying to make the location hard to find.. . don't you. .. ? Especially, if the ruins pre-dates any civilisation in the civilised world.. . - he offered her a soft smile.. . - perhaps even the fabled City of the Gods.. .
Cul1wen: "You do realise that once I translate this, I will go with you to the Falls, if this is indeed the map to them.. ." *She said with a wide grin.. .* "Would be a shame to discover something like this and not get to see it"
ArkinKardesh: could be this exact location.. . what I do know is that the Ukungu guard access to the region by both through the huge lakes with zealous vigilance.. . and only one ever ventured the trail after and returned alive to tell the tale after battling the Kurii near the Falls.. . yet the ruins though found was never searched.. .
ArkinKardesh: and an expedition has to be planned carefully if the Beaats know as Kurii are involved.. . they are not easy adversaries.. . and where they venture is not a place for a woman.. . I have seen what the Kurii does to both male and female captives alike.. . - he paused with a grim expression on his - They tend to eat them.. .! - he then turned his attention to the words of the girl before him.. . catching the mentioning of the Red Salt.. . - if you have information to share.. . speak freely.. . - he would gesture with his hand for the slave to continue. .. -
ArkinKardesh: (on his facial features)
ArkinKardesh: **
xClaudiaRose: The Kasra is one of the major cities that mine the red salts... they still use the old Tahari language.... ther used to be a man that came to Treve a merchant as wealthy as any I have ever seen and then some... He spoke and wrote in the old tongue but claudia does not know if he is still around to this day, Master ~She looked down and fumbled with a small part of the pants..~
Cul1wen: *In a calm demeanour, she would fold the scroll and gently place it upon her lap, again with the same tender care with which she recieved it, before looking at him.. .dead serious and stern, borderline defiant.. .even the tone with which she spoke seemed colder and more serious.. .almost eerie.. .* "If they butcher and devour everyone so indiscriminately, then why should you be in any less danger than me? I can stand my ground if needed. If such a discovery is to be made, then it would be against the very foundations of my Caste to stay behind idly, instead of documenting it."
ArkinKardesh: I am a friend steel, Abda.. . and I have faced the Kurii before and lived to the tale.. . - he offered her a serious look touching the scars on his abdominal region he bore as evidence to the happening on Hellenos the first time he had fought them and all the tiny scars from the bone fragments turned scrapnel as his tarn had been exploded from under him during the attempted invasion by the crude beasts known as the Kurii - Even seasoned warriors are add a disadvantage as it takes about 4 to 5 of us to take down one of them if it comes to a skirmish or all out combat.. . though they can be killed and have weaknesses if you know them, and know how to fight . .. - adding.. . - proper.. .
ArkinKardesh: add=at**
ArkinKardesh: So calm yourself.. . and still that tone.. . - his words came strict and commandingly.. . - for I will need a Scribe to translate any immidiate findings on location.. . and so far I know of only 2 I trust.. . and only 3 capable of performing the assignment. . .that might be willing to go.. .
ArkinKardesh: And presently I do not know the location of my bloodbrother Wolf - the Scribe.. . or is he would undertake such a dangerous endavour and perilious journey.. . as we would go in by Tarn and not by boat.. .
Cul1wen: "My tone is still and I am calm" *She retaliated, slightly lifting her chin.. .Her fierce determination to the codes of her Caste, as well as her inborn stubborness and reckless underestimation of her physical self, resulting in unneeded and silly acts of bravery.. .or attempts at such truly did not help her in this situation. Being denied the chance to go out and explore in such a fashion truly hurt her, not that she'd ever admit it.. .but she just pursed her lips and shot him a fierce look, falling silent afterwards.. .she still had that much wits left about her.. .*
ArkinKardesh: Would I have given you the scroll.. . if I did not intend to involve you in this matter.. . my lady of the Scribes.. . - he returned a dark look from even darker eyes that seemed to sparkle forebodingly as they reflected the light in the dim-lit hall.. . - Do not make me regret my decision.. .!
ArkinKardesh: - halting his words on the matter as to him the issue had been debated enough for now.. . and turned his attention to the slave.. . - So Treve might be a point of interest as well.. . - he inclined his head in thought.. . - and since they are Our neighbour to the south in the Voltai Range.. . they might be worth a visit for more than information.. . diplomacy might even be possible given Our recent dispute with the Ubar of Thentis.. . -
ArkinKardesh: and Kasra another point of interest.. . if Treve fails.. .
xClaudiaRose: Rask will not seek kindly to visitors Master... I know of him well.....
ArkinKardesh: I have heard the tales of the tarnsman mercenary Captain of Treve.. . he is quite the legend in the civilized north.. . - he inclined his head as he trusted the words of the girl.. . - I have to know something my girl.. . How well are you still with the thieves of Port Kar.. .?
xClaudiaRose: .... I do not know my Master... to what do you wish of claudia for Port Kar....
Cul1wen: *Without a word said, she stood up and made her way to the map table with unusual haste.. .clenching her free hand into a tight fist as she fought back tears with all the strength of her will, not allowing anyone to see her current emotional state.. .one even her veils could not conceal. Carefully, with shaking hands, she unfolded the scroll and began studying the runes, writing them down onto a seperate piece of simple paper, for notes and alike.. .finding some of the letterings smudged by renegade tears, which quickly got wiped off onto one of her sleeves.. .still, she burried herself in her work, trying to forget what had just happened. She would dig through the piles of books around her, trying to find the one wich held some insight on the tongue and alphabet of the people from the North, franticly flipping pages, loud enough for the rustling to echo in the hall*
ArkinKardesh: Merely wish to know if you still have relations to them.. .
xClaudiaRose: perhaps to one girl maybe two....
ArkinKardesh: they are know to operate even in and on slave chains.. .
ArkinKardesh: Approach.. . - he would then look for the simple marking of the Caste of Thieves that was placed on the left chin just below the eye.. . carefully running his moist thumb over the area as to remove any make-up that would cover such a marking.. . -
ArkinKardesh: One of the others working on this affair has already been approached by the Caste only accepted in Port Kar and Schendi.. . so I prefer to be as careful as possible.. .
xClaudiaRose: ~She thought for a moment of the den she had been tossed into the thieves there and about... the woman that had took her had told her very carefully of the mark she would wear around for longer then any others and would always have to hide it from most others... Stepping closer she leaned in towards him the feel of his rough calused finger against her left cheek just below her eye would give way to the three barbed trytan the mark of the caste of thieves.....~
Cul1wen: *A loud -THUD- could be heard from the map table as the last of the books from the piles was slammed shut, accompanied by a cuss in typical Schendian dialect, followed by a quiet rustling of robes as the Scribe ran out of the hall and into the winter cold towards the Cylinder, bothering only to pull her hoods up to protect her from the harsh weather.. .Angirly, she sprinted all the way, trying to waste as little time as possibile, bent on proving him wrong.. .bent on making him change his mind. At moments like these, she despised her position as a woman, completely and with all her heart.. .But, she will go to the ruins, one way or another. She will. She will prove herself to be a neccesity for the expedition.. .these thoughts raced through her mind as she entered the Cylinder and behan the search for that one single book she needed.. .finding it in the office after a brief run-through.. .making it back to the House in good time, not even giving the guards to open the heavy entrance gate for her as she rushed past them, clutching the tome to her chest. Without offering anyone a single glance, she returned to the map table and was finally able to continue her work*
ArkinKardesh: - sighs as the mark is revealed.. . - shaking his head in disbelief.. . as he had not recognised it earlier.. . - I am in need of some fresh air.. . - he needed to be alone with his thoughts.. . as he knew that the Caste of Thieves had slaves in their numbers as well.. . and that one did not join the Caste unwillingly.. but a rite and ritual was involved if one went through the proper initiation.. . - Matters presently was of the greatest importance.. . and as the Den of Thieves' in Port Kar was eithe r under the control of the Agents of the Kurii or mnipulated by such he now faced a decision that was not much to his liking.. . or trust his gut and place faith in the slave.. . - I will be outside for a brief while he called to his companion.. . - checking his weapons as he moved towards the doors.. . making sure all of them were in place.. . informing the guards to keep a careful eye on the Hall at the present moment and if anything suspecious should happen they were informed to take action immidiately -
Cul1wen: *Hearing him call out, she now lifted her head a bit.. .not quite certain what was going on, guessing she must have missed something while she was out.. .Certainly this was not common behaviour for him, and she vividly recalled the last time he had to go outside like this, for fresh hair.. .and that certainly wasn't a pleasant occasion. For a moment, thoughts raced through her mind, but in the end, she departed the map table and followed after him, thinking he might need her now, despite of their argument earlier.. .after all, he did bother to inform her where he was going.. .Silently, she'd slip out of the House in an attempt to find him*
xClaudiaRose: ~She tried to follow after him as one of the guards stopped her wit ha hold of her hair.... The thief had thought it funny to mark her and damage the bred beauty which she had taken... She remembered the woman's onyx hair and the words she spoke and spat at her... " I will ruin all of that beauty, and mark you so none will ever truly have you... this is my gift to you slut after all with that delicate almost innocently passionate face men will become prey to me...." She had screamed for hours at the woman furrious in the attemp to ruin all that she was.... Once more she wouldn't ever be trusted again.. she had fled the den after learning the small skills of capturing men for that blasted woman to the mixing of poisons.... and lastly learning how to change papers with the salts.... It was not something she was proud of.. and at the time she had fixed those fake papers to being freed... and found again Arkin the refugee in this vast world it had never accured to her that she had always held on to her make-up that kept it from him...~
xClaudiaRose: with a*
ArkinKardesh: - standing outside under the small tent screen as a wet shower had erupted from the black clouds above.. . which did not to improve his mood.. . though something in his gut told him to trust the girl.. . there was something about the litte Dancer of Treve.. . many things in fact that intrigued him.. . and He had never found her to be a liar.. . or dishonest.. . - he cursed audibly as his companionen stepped out behind him.. . not because of her appearrance there beside him, but because he knew the importance of the assignment.. . the conclave hadf specifically asked him to show vigilance in regard to the Caste of Thieves as a traitor had been found in the midst of one of the most important intel cells of the conclave.. . and it had forced all of them to become more careful as now.. . one did not know friend from foe.. . - turning to his companion he gave her a serious look.. . - Despite the marking I do not believe Claudia to be one of them
ArkinKardesh: All of my instinct tell me. .. had she been. . .she would have told me.. .
Cul1wen: "Then perhaps she is honest.. and she isn't one of them. You have no way of knowing what happened to her before she came to you, or returned to you.. .nor have I"
ArkinKardesh: - the dark eyes look worried.. . as he took the hands of his companion.. . - can I even trust my own judgement.. . and feelings.. . I know I have taken a liking to the little Dancer of Treve.. .
ArkinKardesh: I trust her.. . knowing full-well she was breed for the pleasures of Men and to be alluring through her breeding asnd looks.. .
Cul1wen: "But do you trust her enough?" *Came the question*
ArkinKardesh: - giving her hands a tight squeeze.. . - I do.. . if you do as well.. . after finding out how she got the marking.. . - I will not act on the matter.. . and stick to my belief that the girl can be trusted.. .
JudyKianoga56 has joined the chat
ArkinKardesh: If you have the least bit of doubt. .. we will take it from there.. . - he then walked off into the rain.. . he needed to fly. .. to clear his mind.. . so made his way to the training camp outside the Fort -
Cul1wen: "I still need to talk to you!" *She called out after him as he walked off, following in his footsteps*
xClaudiaRose: ~She struggled at the guards hold and could not help but want to be released from his grasp atop her hair with a small twist of her shoulder she pushed in against the man being much taller then her own slender form and quickly thrusted her left heel into his instep.... As the guard startled and groaned his hand released her... The look on her face was stuned as she turned and headed out towards the door sliding with her feet first across the tile floor and dodging the reach of the two guards by the door she kicked outwards and quickly scrambled to her feet as she caught sight of Abda.. her chest rising and falling with the efforts it took to force all that small frame of form to accomplish~ Mistress... please Mistress claudia begs of you claudia is no thief... claudia is claudia... please Mistress do not have claudia slayed...
xClaudiaRose: ~She looked up with the traces of mascara and charcoled framed eyes smeared with the reminince of the make-up the mark as plain as day in all its hated glory upon her left cheek below her eye~...
Cul1wen: *Stopping in her tracks, she now turned to the begging girl at her side, raising an eyebrow at her.. .mostly trying to figure out how she wandered outside with all the guards present.. .as the men approached the two, the scribe asked them to let her handle the girl and to return to their posts, before looking at the girl with a serious face. .* "How did you get the mark, then?"
xClaudiaRose: She gave it to me.... ~She cried out her hands held before her palm down against the dirt as she lowered her cheek down to its dirty surface..... The feeling of that grime across her felt just the same as the day she recieved its cursed mark~ She told claudia she would scar claudia to be worthless to any...
xClaudiaRose: claudia did not know what she ment..... She kept yelling at claudia to make the men come to her... ~She lowered herself further into the ground almost in bara... as she tried to plead for her life...~ claudia is innocent... of of this curse please Mistress claudia begs spare her spare claudia
MasterDarkestDreams has joined the chat
Cul1wen: *Shaken. She was clearly shaken. Shaken by the slave's pleas, her display of fear and raw emotion.. .seeing something primal in it. She would listen as she stood outside in the rain, with the girl on the wet ground below, just listening, letting the girl say what she had to say.. .*
ArkinKardesh: - entering the training camp he went to the sword post and picked up the heavy training sword and pounded the tem-wood post for a good while.. . was he losing his calm senses and his rational judgement.. . was he endangering the mission and the conclave as a whole.. . what if the matters of the Beasts know as Kurii was indeed behind the Den of thieves.. . the girl would be tagged with the technology of the Beasts and used to find members of the conclave even unwillingly and unwittingly. .. he needed a magnet to determine the matter.. . and he had one in his tent in the camp.. . - throwing the training sword to the side he would walk with his usual determined and firm stride to his pack and rummage through it finding the magnet. .. if the girl was carrying a tracking device it had to be removed
xClaudiaRose: ~Her voice came out muffled and cracked in the stream of mud and rain soaking her down in what flimsy sheer material but she was cold colder then the rain or anything else could feel... that form of terror that settles in your bones when there is nothing but the shame of what one has endured in order to escape its grasps and come home....~ claudia had to wait and learn to do things claudia isn't proud of... the things the woman made claudia do... the way she made claudia use claudia's own bredding against claudia... ~She felt the rest of her painted face run in ruin down her face to the ground below but she did not dare raise even her cheek off the ground...~ claudia begs Mistress please spare claudia please Mistress please claudia only did what claudia had to do to keep her from beating claudia to death.... please trust claudia Mistress.... claudia has suffered mmuch pain at the hand of that woman thief...
MasterDarkestDreams: -As He entered through the doors to the home of his Brother Arkin and his Free Companion Lady Abda, the guards noticing him and nodding towards him so he could pass, he walked a bit further into the home but stopped as he came past the curtains hearing what was happening, his face registered one of a worried look as he spoke-Tal Brother, Lady Abda, girls
Cul1wen: "Who is that woman?" *Asked the scribe finally when the girl seemed to trail off for a moment, just taking all the information so far learnt in, processing it as the slave talked and begged in the icy rain outside.. .*
ArkinKardesh: - making his way back to the camp on foot following the muddy trail after moving over the rocky ground that did not reveal the way back to the encampment and training ground of the Mercenaries in his company.. . the magnet held firmly in one hand.. . as lightning would tear the darkend sky and light up the ghostly shell of the Fort below in the Boswell Pass leading to the Barrens and the Plains of the Red Savages.. . a figure seemed to move on the smaller peak on the opposite side of the Pass. .. it could be the shadows playin gwith his mind.. . or it could have been an advance scout of either Treve or Thentis. .. though Treve would be the more likely of the two.. . or it could have been one of the Beast.. . - feeling the adrenaline surge through him as he set into a sprint and nearly slid of the makeshift draw-bridge over the huge, spiked trench that had been dug.. . but managed to avoid the barked tem-wood planks that made up the opening gate as her rushed inside the garrisson and rushed to the Hall of his House.. . -
xClaudiaRose: claudia does not know the woman's name.. claudia only has seen her eyes and hair Mistress... claudia is useless to know what the woman thief is called.... please claudia begs Mistress spare her spare her.... ~She heard the thundering sounds as the storm moved further in its fury~
ArkinKardesh: - stopping behind his brother the taverner and catches a deep breath before moving towards the girl with a determined step placing the recktangular, metalic, rock below her left eye slowly pulling it back.. . hoping to the Blessing of the Priest-Kings that it would not give the usual resistance and remain stuck until a heavier oull would realise, but.. . hoped beyond hope that it would come off with no resistance at all.. .
Cul1wen: *As her Companion returned from wherever he rushed off to, she'd look at him and tightly wrap her arms around herself, trying to conceal that at this point, she was shuddering with cold already.. .her drenched robes did not help in the slightest.. .* "I don't think claudia got the mark voluntarily.. .actually think it was forced upon her, according to what she said" *She said to him as he tested the girl for any technology*
xClaudiaRose: ~She screamed as the magnet came close to her like a flash back of things that had happened or was it all a nightmare she didn't know... but she did remember the woman giving her wine and then nothing a pitch black emptiness that seemed to swallow her whole... But the magnet tore scream to scream from her lips a sound that held the worse of all nightmares to come to life.... as she felt the tug and the feeling of being trapped with no air.... to breath.... ~ please ~She spoke between screams a ragged harsh whisper of a sound...~ spare...... claudia..... pleasee...
Cul1wen: *She'd take a step back as the girl's scream tore through her mind.. .surprised, shocked, maybe a bit scared.. .Fact was, she was not used to so much emotional drama happening around her, or to her, having always lived a protected life between the 4 walls of what home she had.. .In silence, she observed the moment.. .waiting for what will happen next*
ArkinKardesh: I think you are right.. . - we need a physician to remove the small metallic device - he confirmed his words with an inclination of his head.. . - and I know someone who can do such surgery - that was spoken to his companion.. . then he turned to claudia.. . - Relax little Dancer.. . I believe you.. . - as he bend down and picked her up into his arms and carried her into the Hall.. . whatever was placed in you need to be removed. .. though there is a possibility it has already served it's purpose.. . - he uttered a low curse directed at the Priest-Kings and their secretive dealings and always withholding information as Gods moves in mysterious ways.. .
Cul1wen: *She'd follow behind, still wrapping her own arms tightly around her drenched self.. .pondering heavily upon the course of the events to follow"
Cul1wen: *For a moment, she'd look to her Companion before her and ask* "Untill when do you need the runes translated?"
ArkinKardesh: Abda. . . I need you to write a scroll to the Lady Kellen in Helgasker and summon her here as fast as possible.. . send the scroll by tarnsman.. . and have her following him here.. . Express that it is dire circumstances. .. and a slaves life depend on it.. .
ArkinKardesh: tell her it is the little Dancer .. . of Treve.. . First on my chain.. .
Cul1wen: "If the weather clears, I can send the letter tonight" *She said and hurried off to the table"
xClaudiaRose: will Master be safe.... will Mistress be safe.... ? ~she almost sobbed out through her tormented mind of all that had happened..... to the racking shivering that had become of her form for that was all the chill of what was happening as she listened to all the comotion goin on...~
ArkinKardesh has joined the chat
xClaudiaRose: ~The shock of that embrace was tantilizing as she nestled her cheek along his upper chest... the small press of her lips to his skin as she spoke to him with a tender caress~ "It is good to have you home again Master we have missed you so much." ~Before she was released back to her knees if only a bit wabbly but she regained her balance and settled down against the carpet before him...~
Cul1wen: *Having put the two troublemakers to bed finally, after several small tantrums and a read story or two, the Scribe finally made her way into the main hall of her home, finding the time a bit too early to go and rest herself, still having an abundance of energy to spend, perhaps by continuing her work, which seemed like the most likely option to her.. .hearing voices inside, she grew curious as she made her way in, smiling contently under her veils to spot her Free Companion and the newly established first girl of the House.. .* "Tal, Arkin.. .claudia.. ." *She spoke in her usual calm and warm voice*
ArkinKardesh: - noting his Companion the Lady Abda entering he would incline his head in her direction as a like smile would greet her as well.. . finding the two he trusted the most in the fortification to be the first to greet him upon his return.. . pleased him more than he had anticipated as he felt a strange sense of pain in the left side of his chest region that subsided slowly to leave a strange, yet familiar warmth in the Warrior's chest cavity spreading slowly to his being.. . as he caste a glance at the girl kneeling before him.. . with the light of the braziers burn reflected in the dark eyes of the rarius.. . he would straighten and stand there observantly as His companion would approach and offer her a like greeting.. . - Tal, Abda, First Lady to the House of Kardesh.. . I am pleased to find you well.. .
Cul1wen: "I am.. .and hope you are as well" *Came the reply as she ascended the staircase with a slow, dignified pace.. .inclining her head lightly as she studied the two, by now, purely out of habit, or perhaps the need to keep a track of everything, even the smallest change in the enviroment around her.. .*
xClaudiaRose: ~Her ears picked up the sounds of slippered feet brushed against the tiled floor to the hush sound of the carpet then to the sounds of the woman herself... quickly and as graceful a motion as she could make it moved towards his right side.. and pressed her legs together as the cloth played its mysterious game of feather light touchs.... The sweep of pale wheat curls shimered as she moved tickling aross her back and shoulders...~ Tal Mistres
xClaudiaRose: Mistress*
ArkinKardesh: - he would take the gloved hands of his Companion and offer them a gentle squeeze as his eyes met hers for the first time in about 3 standard gorean months - the travel to Besnit bore fruit.. . it seems an alliance is still desired.. . and I met with the tatrix of Besnit and her brother whom she has declared First Axe.. . a remnant from their northern heritage though Besnit lies below the Northern Forest.. . they have agreed to open diplomatic relations with Fort Haskins and we will soon receive a visit from Our new allies and business partners.. . they are anxious to learn of gorean myths and legends.. . and I suggested you help with that.. . - he smiled.. . - also I would like the First Scribe and Magistrate of Fort Haskins to be present during further negotiations.. . then looked to the First girl of the House.. . and you will go with us.. . as there is no one I trust more on the chain of this House.. . -
Cul1wen: *With a smile, she let him take her hands into his, returning the squeeze.. .feeling delighted that he returned back home and that the long travel was not in vain, for she had missed him.. .though it may take some self-convincing to actually admit it, both to him and to herself.. .but for now, she nodded to his words, still holding his hands.. .and replied in the end* "If there is anything I can help with, then I shall.. ."
ArkinKardesh: so I think the cylinder of records will get busy as soon as we organise their learning.. .
xClaudiaRose: yes Master claudia will go with you she wouldn't know what to think if these people from Besnit's girls were rude to you or Mistress... claudia might just have to hunt the kitchen down... and teach them a thing or twoo.. ~The last little bit she spoke almost as if to herself but just loud enough to be heard....~
ArkinKardesh: - turns back to his map and studies the ancient scriptures in details yet only recognises some of the runes as they appear to be torvie ones.. . and not some he is familiar with.. . some names on the map appears to be archaic Tahari. .. yet again the former emissary is not able to translate it as though he knows the desert tongue of the dunes he is not familiar with the ancient lettering lost long ago.. . - an auidible, irritated sigh escapes his lips as he finds nothing of scripture on the scroll and map that holds any recognisable scripture.. . other than the torvie runic similarities and the slanted archaic looking taharian lettering.. . - curling the map back up.. . he looks to his companion.. . and states in a serious tone.. . - Does any of you know the runes of the Torvaldslanders.. . ?
Cul1wen: "I know some" *Said the scribe, returning the look as the settled herself in her seat.. .*
ArkinKardesh: - rising from the cushions he handed the ancient scroll to the Schendi Scribe, now his Free Companion, and First Magistrate to Fort Haskins, Cylinder of Records.. . - Take your time and read this.. . and come back to me with what you find.. . - he inclined his head.. . - I need to know if this is the Map of Bila Haruma that leads to the ruins of the temple found on his voyages past the lakes of the Ukungu.. . - they should be placed somewhere on top of what is now know as the Bila Haruna Falls.. .
Cul1wen: "Why would.. .Torvaldslanders make a map for the Ukungu region.. .?* "She asked confused as she recieved the ancient scroll with delicate care, making sure the parchment wasn't damaged by her touch.. .giving it a first glance as she did so*
xClaudiaRose: Perhaps for the trade of red salt.... Mistress... ~She spoke only softly she had seen many of the old Tahari writings in Treve due to the fact that the red salt that was brought in came by a man from Kasra~
ArkinKardesh: I think a clever scribe as the explorer is trying to make the location hard to find.. . don't you. .. ? Especially, if the ruins pre-dates any civilisation in the civilised world.. . - he offered her a soft smile.. . - perhaps even the fabled City of the Gods.. .
Cul1wen: "You do realise that once I translate this, I will go with you to the Falls, if this is indeed the map to them.. ." *She said with a wide grin.. .* "Would be a shame to discover something like this and not get to see it"
ArkinKardesh: could be this exact location.. . what I do know is that the Ukungu guard access to the region by both through the huge lakes with zealous vigilance.. . and only one ever ventured the trail after and returned alive to tell the tale after battling the Kurii near the Falls.. . yet the ruins though found was never searched.. .
ArkinKardesh: and an expedition has to be planned carefully if the Beaats know as Kurii are involved.. . they are not easy adversaries.. . and where they venture is not a place for a woman.. . I have seen what the Kurii does to both male and female captives alike.. . - he paused with a grim expression on his - They tend to eat them.. .! - he then turned his attention to the words of the girl before him.. . catching the mentioning of the Red Salt.. . - if you have information to share.. . speak freely.. . - he would gesture with his hand for the slave to continue. .. -
ArkinKardesh: (on his facial features)
ArkinKardesh: **
xClaudiaRose: The Kasra is one of the major cities that mine the red salts... they still use the old Tahari language.... ther used to be a man that came to Treve a merchant as wealthy as any I have ever seen and then some... He spoke and wrote in the old tongue but claudia does not know if he is still around to this day, Master ~She looked down and fumbled with a small part of the pants..~
Cul1wen: *In a calm demeanour, she would fold the scroll and gently place it upon her lap, again with the same tender care with which she recieved it, before looking at him.. .dead serious and stern, borderline defiant.. .even the tone with which she spoke seemed colder and more serious.. .almost eerie.. .* "If they butcher and devour everyone so indiscriminately, then why should you be in any less danger than me? I can stand my ground if needed. If such a discovery is to be made, then it would be against the very foundations of my Caste to stay behind idly, instead of documenting it."
ArkinKardesh: I am a friend steel, Abda.. . and I have faced the Kurii before and lived to the tale.. . - he offered her a serious look touching the scars on his abdominal region he bore as evidence to the happening on Hellenos the first time he had fought them and all the tiny scars from the bone fragments turned scrapnel as his tarn had been exploded from under him during the attempted invasion by the crude beasts known as the Kurii - Even seasoned warriors are add a disadvantage as it takes about 4 to 5 of us to take down one of them if it comes to a skirmish or all out combat.. . though they can be killed and have weaknesses if you know them, and know how to fight . .. - adding.. . - proper.. .
ArkinKardesh: add=at**
ArkinKardesh: So calm yourself.. . and still that tone.. . - his words came strict and commandingly.. . - for I will need a Scribe to translate any immidiate findings on location.. . and so far I know of only 2 I trust.. . and only 3 capable of performing the assignment. . .that might be willing to go.. .
ArkinKardesh: And presently I do not know the location of my bloodbrother Wolf - the Scribe.. . or is he would undertake such a dangerous endavour and perilious journey.. . as we would go in by Tarn and not by boat.. .
Cul1wen: "My tone is still and I am calm" *She retaliated, slightly lifting her chin.. .Her fierce determination to the codes of her Caste, as well as her inborn stubborness and reckless underestimation of her physical self, resulting in unneeded and silly acts of bravery.. .or attempts at such truly did not help her in this situation. Being denied the chance to go out and explore in such a fashion truly hurt her, not that she'd ever admit it.. .but she just pursed her lips and shot him a fierce look, falling silent afterwards.. .she still had that much wits left about her.. .*
ArkinKardesh: Would I have given you the scroll.. . if I did not intend to involve you in this matter.. . my lady of the Scribes.. . - he returned a dark look from even darker eyes that seemed to sparkle forebodingly as they reflected the light in the dim-lit hall.. . - Do not make me regret my decision.. .!
ArkinKardesh: - halting his words on the matter as to him the issue had been debated enough for now.. . and turned his attention to the slave.. . - So Treve might be a point of interest as well.. . - he inclined his head in thought.. . - and since they are Our neighbour to the south in the Voltai Range.. . they might be worth a visit for more than information.. . diplomacy might even be possible given Our recent dispute with the Ubar of Thentis.. . -
ArkinKardesh: and Kasra another point of interest.. . if Treve fails.. .
xClaudiaRose: Rask will not seek kindly to visitors Master... I know of him well.....
ArkinKardesh: I have heard the tales of the tarnsman mercenary Captain of Treve.. . he is quite the legend in the civilized north.. . - he inclined his head as he trusted the words of the girl.. . - I have to know something my girl.. . How well are you still with the thieves of Port Kar.. .?
xClaudiaRose: .... I do not know my Master... to what do you wish of claudia for Port Kar....
Cul1wen: *Without a word said, she stood up and made her way to the map table with unusual haste.. .clenching her free hand into a tight fist as she fought back tears with all the strength of her will, not allowing anyone to see her current emotional state.. .one even her veils could not conceal. Carefully, with shaking hands, she unfolded the scroll and began studying the runes, writing them down onto a seperate piece of simple paper, for notes and alike.. .finding some of the letterings smudged by renegade tears, which quickly got wiped off onto one of her sleeves.. .still, she burried herself in her work, trying to forget what had just happened. She would dig through the piles of books around her, trying to find the one wich held some insight on the tongue and alphabet of the people from the North, franticly flipping pages, loud enough for the rustling to echo in the hall*
ArkinKardesh: Merely wish to know if you still have relations to them.. .
xClaudiaRose: perhaps to one girl maybe two....
ArkinKardesh: they are know to operate even in and on slave chains.. .
ArkinKardesh: Approach.. . - he would then look for the simple marking of the Caste of Thieves that was placed on the left chin just below the eye.. . carefully running his moist thumb over the area as to remove any make-up that would cover such a marking.. . -
ArkinKardesh: One of the others working on this affair has already been approached by the Caste only accepted in Port Kar and Schendi.. . so I prefer to be as careful as possible.. .
xClaudiaRose: ~She thought for a moment of the den she had been tossed into the thieves there and about... the woman that had took her had told her very carefully of the mark she would wear around for longer then any others and would always have to hide it from most others... Stepping closer she leaned in towards him the feel of his rough calused finger against her left cheek just below her eye would give way to the three barbed trytan the mark of the caste of thieves.....~
Cul1wen: *A loud -THUD- could be heard from the map table as the last of the books from the piles was slammed shut, accompanied by a cuss in typical Schendian dialect, followed by a quiet rustling of robes as the Scribe ran out of the hall and into the winter cold towards the Cylinder, bothering only to pull her hoods up to protect her from the harsh weather.. .Angirly, she sprinted all the way, trying to waste as little time as possibile, bent on proving him wrong.. .bent on making him change his mind. At moments like these, she despised her position as a woman, completely and with all her heart.. .But, she will go to the ruins, one way or another. She will. She will prove herself to be a neccesity for the expedition.. .these thoughts raced through her mind as she entered the Cylinder and behan the search for that one single book she needed.. .finding it in the office after a brief run-through.. .making it back to the House in good time, not even giving the guards to open the heavy entrance gate for her as she rushed past them, clutching the tome to her chest. Without offering anyone a single glance, she returned to the map table and was finally able to continue her work*
ArkinKardesh: - sighs as the mark is revealed.. . - shaking his head in disbelief.. . as he had not recognised it earlier.. . - I am in need of some fresh air.. . - he needed to be alone with his thoughts.. . as he knew that the Caste of Thieves had slaves in their numbers as well.. . and that one did not join the Caste unwillingly.. but a rite and ritual was involved if one went through the proper initiation.. . - Matters presently was of the greatest importance.. . and as the Den of Thieves' in Port Kar was eithe r under the control of the Agents of the Kurii or mnipulated by such he now faced a decision that was not much to his liking.. . or trust his gut and place faith in the slave.. . - I will be outside for a brief while he called to his companion.. . - checking his weapons as he moved towards the doors.. . making sure all of them were in place.. . informing the guards to keep a careful eye on the Hall at the present moment and if anything suspecious should happen they were informed to take action immidiately -
Cul1wen: *Hearing him call out, she now lifted her head a bit.. .not quite certain what was going on, guessing she must have missed something while she was out.. .Certainly this was not common behaviour for him, and she vividly recalled the last time he had to go outside like this, for fresh hair.. .and that certainly wasn't a pleasant occasion. For a moment, thoughts raced through her mind, but in the end, she departed the map table and followed after him, thinking he might need her now, despite of their argument earlier.. .after all, he did bother to inform her where he was going.. .Silently, she'd slip out of the House in an attempt to find him*
xClaudiaRose: ~She tried to follow after him as one of the guards stopped her wit ha hold of her hair.... The thief had thought it funny to mark her and damage the bred beauty which she had taken... She remembered the woman's onyx hair and the words she spoke and spat at her... " I will ruin all of that beauty, and mark you so none will ever truly have you... this is my gift to you slut after all with that delicate almost innocently passionate face men will become prey to me...." She had screamed for hours at the woman furrious in the attemp to ruin all that she was.... Once more she wouldn't ever be trusted again.. she had fled the den after learning the small skills of capturing men for that blasted woman to the mixing of poisons.... and lastly learning how to change papers with the salts.... It was not something she was proud of.. and at the time she had fixed those fake papers to being freed... and found again Arkin the refugee in this vast world it had never accured to her that she had always held on to her make-up that kept it from him...~
xClaudiaRose: with a*
ArkinKardesh: - standing outside under the small tent screen as a wet shower had erupted from the black clouds above.. . which did not to improve his mood.. . though something in his gut told him to trust the girl.. . there was something about the litte Dancer of Treve.. . many things in fact that intrigued him.. . and He had never found her to be a liar.. . or dishonest.. . - he cursed audibly as his companionen stepped out behind him.. . not because of her appearrance there beside him, but because he knew the importance of the assignment.. . the conclave hadf specifically asked him to show vigilance in regard to the Caste of Thieves as a traitor had been found in the midst of one of the most important intel cells of the conclave.. . and it had forced all of them to become more careful as now.. . one did not know friend from foe.. . - turning to his companion he gave her a serious look.. . - Despite the marking I do not believe Claudia to be one of them
ArkinKardesh: All of my instinct tell me. .. had she been. . .she would have told me.. .
Cul1wen: "Then perhaps she is honest.. and she isn't one of them. You have no way of knowing what happened to her before she came to you, or returned to you.. .nor have I"
ArkinKardesh: - the dark eyes look worried.. . as he took the hands of his companion.. . - can I even trust my own judgement.. . and feelings.. . I know I have taken a liking to the little Dancer of Treve.. .
ArkinKardesh: I trust her.. . knowing full-well she was breed for the pleasures of Men and to be alluring through her breeding asnd looks.. .
Cul1wen: "But do you trust her enough?" *Came the question*
ArkinKardesh: - giving her hands a tight squeeze.. . - I do.. . if you do as well.. . after finding out how she got the marking.. . - I will not act on the matter.. . and stick to my belief that the girl can be trusted.. .
JudyKianoga56 has joined the chat
ArkinKardesh: If you have the least bit of doubt. .. we will take it from there.. . - he then walked off into the rain.. . he needed to fly. .. to clear his mind.. . so made his way to the training camp outside the Fort -
Cul1wen: "I still need to talk to you!" *She called out after him as he walked off, following in his footsteps*
xClaudiaRose: ~She struggled at the guards hold and could not help but want to be released from his grasp atop her hair with a small twist of her shoulder she pushed in against the man being much taller then her own slender form and quickly thrusted her left heel into his instep.... As the guard startled and groaned his hand released her... The look on her face was stuned as she turned and headed out towards the door sliding with her feet first across the tile floor and dodging the reach of the two guards by the door she kicked outwards and quickly scrambled to her feet as she caught sight of Abda.. her chest rising and falling with the efforts it took to force all that small frame of form to accomplish~ Mistress... please Mistress claudia begs of you claudia is no thief... claudia is claudia... please Mistress do not have claudia slayed...
xClaudiaRose: ~She looked up with the traces of mascara and charcoled framed eyes smeared with the reminince of the make-up the mark as plain as day in all its hated glory upon her left cheek below her eye~...
Cul1wen: *Stopping in her tracks, she now turned to the begging girl at her side, raising an eyebrow at her.. .mostly trying to figure out how she wandered outside with all the guards present.. .as the men approached the two, the scribe asked them to let her handle the girl and to return to their posts, before looking at the girl with a serious face. .* "How did you get the mark, then?"
xClaudiaRose: She gave it to me.... ~She cried out her hands held before her palm down against the dirt as she lowered her cheek down to its dirty surface..... The feeling of that grime across her felt just the same as the day she recieved its cursed mark~ She told claudia she would scar claudia to be worthless to any...
xClaudiaRose: claudia did not know what she ment..... She kept yelling at claudia to make the men come to her... ~She lowered herself further into the ground almost in bara... as she tried to plead for her life...~ claudia is innocent... of of this curse please Mistress claudia begs spare her spare claudia
MasterDarkestDreams has joined the chat
Cul1wen: *Shaken. She was clearly shaken. Shaken by the slave's pleas, her display of fear and raw emotion.. .seeing something primal in it. She would listen as she stood outside in the rain, with the girl on the wet ground below, just listening, letting the girl say what she had to say.. .*
ArkinKardesh: - entering the training camp he went to the sword post and picked up the heavy training sword and pounded the tem-wood post for a good while.. . was he losing his calm senses and his rational judgement.. . was he endangering the mission and the conclave as a whole.. . what if the matters of the Beasts know as Kurii was indeed behind the Den of thieves.. . the girl would be tagged with the technology of the Beasts and used to find members of the conclave even unwillingly and unwittingly. .. he needed a magnet to determine the matter.. . and he had one in his tent in the camp.. . - throwing the training sword to the side he would walk with his usual determined and firm stride to his pack and rummage through it finding the magnet. .. if the girl was carrying a tracking device it had to be removed
xClaudiaRose: ~Her voice came out muffled and cracked in the stream of mud and rain soaking her down in what flimsy sheer material but she was cold colder then the rain or anything else could feel... that form of terror that settles in your bones when there is nothing but the shame of what one has endured in order to escape its grasps and come home....~ claudia had to wait and learn to do things claudia isn't proud of... the things the woman made claudia do... the way she made claudia use claudia's own bredding against claudia... ~She felt the rest of her painted face run in ruin down her face to the ground below but she did not dare raise even her cheek off the ground...~ claudia begs Mistress please spare claudia please Mistress please claudia only did what claudia had to do to keep her from beating claudia to death.... please trust claudia Mistress.... claudia has suffered mmuch pain at the hand of that woman thief...
MasterDarkestDreams: -As He entered through the doors to the home of his Brother Arkin and his Free Companion Lady Abda, the guards noticing him and nodding towards him so he could pass, he walked a bit further into the home but stopped as he came past the curtains hearing what was happening, his face registered one of a worried look as he spoke-Tal Brother, Lady Abda, girls
Cul1wen: "Who is that woman?" *Asked the scribe finally when the girl seemed to trail off for a moment, just taking all the information so far learnt in, processing it as the slave talked and begged in the icy rain outside.. .*
ArkinKardesh: - making his way back to the camp on foot following the muddy trail after moving over the rocky ground that did not reveal the way back to the encampment and training ground of the Mercenaries in his company.. . the magnet held firmly in one hand.. . as lightning would tear the darkend sky and light up the ghostly shell of the Fort below in the Boswell Pass leading to the Barrens and the Plains of the Red Savages.. . a figure seemed to move on the smaller peak on the opposite side of the Pass. .. it could be the shadows playin gwith his mind.. . or it could have been an advance scout of either Treve or Thentis. .. though Treve would be the more likely of the two.. . or it could have been one of the Beast.. . - feeling the adrenaline surge through him as he set into a sprint and nearly slid of the makeshift draw-bridge over the huge, spiked trench that had been dug.. . but managed to avoid the barked tem-wood planks that made up the opening gate as her rushed inside the garrisson and rushed to the Hall of his House.. . -
xClaudiaRose: claudia does not know the woman's name.. claudia only has seen her eyes and hair Mistress... claudia is useless to know what the woman thief is called.... please claudia begs Mistress spare her spare her.... ~She heard the thundering sounds as the storm moved further in its fury~
ArkinKardesh: - stopping behind his brother the taverner and catches a deep breath before moving towards the girl with a determined step placing the recktangular, metalic, rock below her left eye slowly pulling it back.. . hoping to the Blessing of the Priest-Kings that it would not give the usual resistance and remain stuck until a heavier oull would realise, but.. . hoped beyond hope that it would come off with no resistance at all.. .
Cul1wen: *As her Companion returned from wherever he rushed off to, she'd look at him and tightly wrap her arms around herself, trying to conceal that at this point, she was shuddering with cold already.. .her drenched robes did not help in the slightest.. .* "I don't think claudia got the mark voluntarily.. .actually think it was forced upon her, according to what she said" *She said to him as he tested the girl for any technology*
xClaudiaRose: ~She screamed as the magnet came close to her like a flash back of things that had happened or was it all a nightmare she didn't know... but she did remember the woman giving her wine and then nothing a pitch black emptiness that seemed to swallow her whole... But the magnet tore scream to scream from her lips a sound that held the worse of all nightmares to come to life.... as she felt the tug and the feeling of being trapped with no air.... to breath.... ~ please ~She spoke between screams a ragged harsh whisper of a sound...~ spare...... claudia..... pleasee...
Cul1wen: *She'd take a step back as the girl's scream tore through her mind.. .surprised, shocked, maybe a bit scared.. .Fact was, she was not used to so much emotional drama happening around her, or to her, having always lived a protected life between the 4 walls of what home she had.. .In silence, she observed the moment.. .waiting for what will happen next*
ArkinKardesh: I think you are right.. . - we need a physician to remove the small metallic device - he confirmed his words with an inclination of his head.. . - and I know someone who can do such surgery - that was spoken to his companion.. . then he turned to claudia.. . - Relax little Dancer.. . I believe you.. . - as he bend down and picked her up into his arms and carried her into the Hall.. . whatever was placed in you need to be removed. .. though there is a possibility it has already served it's purpose.. . - he uttered a low curse directed at the Priest-Kings and their secretive dealings and always withholding information as Gods moves in mysterious ways.. .
Cul1wen: *She'd follow behind, still wrapping her own arms tightly around her drenched self.. .pondering heavily upon the course of the events to follow"
Cul1wen: *For a moment, she'd look to her Companion before her and ask* "Untill when do you need the runes translated?"
ArkinKardesh: Abda. . . I need you to write a scroll to the Lady Kellen in Helgasker and summon her here as fast as possible.. . send the scroll by tarnsman.. . and have her following him here.. . Express that it is dire circumstances. .. and a slaves life depend on it.. .
ArkinKardesh: tell her it is the little Dancer .. . of Treve.. . First on my chain.. .
Cul1wen: "If the weather clears, I can send the letter tonight" *She said and hurried off to the table"
xClaudiaRose: will Master be safe.... will Mistress be safe.... ? ~she almost sobbed out through her tormented mind of all that had happened..... to the racking shivering that had become of her form for that was all the chill of what was happening as she listened to all the comotion goin on...~