West Section Marketplace - Menari
You are standing in the western corner of the marketplace. The first booth you notice as you walk in is large. As you approach it, you can see that this booth is selling all sorts of metal crafting from knives, shovels, eating utensils, and jewelry. Next to his stall is a perfume seller. Many strange smells can by found in her vials to be mixed and matched till you find the perfect scent. To the other side a lady sells beautifully crafted blankets and throws for your bed. For a price, she'll make you one to your own specifications.
Charles is peaking into the clothing shops, seemingly thinking.
Charles pulls at odd clothing that's looks way too tight on her.
Fireheart comes up silently behind you, weaponless. She clears her throat to get your attention. She stands there with her arms crossed over her chest watching you.
Charles glances back. "Yes?"
Fireheart says in a bored voice, "Come with me, child." She turns to leave without waiting to see if you comply.
Charles shrugs and goes back to browsing.
Fireheart doesn't hear your footsteps behind her so she turns, seeing you ignoring her. She shrugs and steps up behind you, grabbing you by the wing base and starts pulling you behind her. As she pulls you she says, "You are a Vehrakt now and as such, you will obey the commands of a priestess of Viktiss. Now come. We are not welcome in this place."
Charles says, "Hey! ow! Cut it out! Ouch! Lemme go!"
Fireheart ignores your cries and continues pulling you, your wingbase firmly held in her hand.
Charles tries to pull away with little success.
Fireheart drags you off to Spiritus Lane and the way out of the city.
Northwest Spiritus Lane - Menari
You are traveling on the northwest section of Spiritus Lane. This street runs diagonally southwest to northeast. To the west, houses can be seen bordering the lane of all sorts of shapes and sizes, some with small plots of flowers and shrubs set up in front of them. The houses are clean, but a little worn down which suggests that the owners may not have the money to keep them up all the time. To the east, you find an entrance into the busy marketplace.
Charles growls and tries clawing at your arm.
Fireheart stops and turns, shaking you as she stops. She holds you close, almost snout to snout as she growls and speaks in a low voice, "Shut up and listen to me. Look around you. Havn't you noticed the stares and rudeness since coming from that gate on the pyramid?" She points back to the pyramid which can be seen even from here over the building tops. "You are Vehrakt now. And in this city, Vehrakt are not welcome. I came to take you home whether you like it or not. Now shut up and behave. I'll explain more once we're outside." She stands and watches you to see if you comply or still struggle.
Charles snorts a bit in your face. "I don't know who you are or what this place is, but I have nothing better to do."
Fireheart sighs, grabbing your wingbase again and dragging you along, she mutters to herself, "I see we'll be doing this the hard way." She says louder to you, "Then if you have nothing better to do, you won't be bothered by coming with me."
Charles says, "Let go of me! I can walk just fine!"
Fireheart stops, letting you go. "As you wish, but for your own safety, you had best leave with me now." She starts walking, but watching you to see if you'll follow this time.
Charles does follow, almost having to hold her own odd clothing up.
Fireheart heads southwest towards Aqua Lane.
West Spiritus Lane - Menari
You stand at the busy crossroad of Spiritus and Aqua Lanes. Spiritus Lane runs North and South while Aqua Lane runs West and East.
Charles follows you at a comfortable distance.
Fireheart ignores the Aldani dragon around her, staring and glaring at her. She just follows the road west quickly to the gate there.
West Aqua Lane - Menari
You are traveling on West Aqua Lane near the city's outer wall. To the west, the lane continues through one of the outer gates. The lane leads farther into the city to the east. To the south, you see the Queen's Eye, the premier inn and tavern in town. Looking north, you see the Royal Guard's barracks and an accompanying jail. A small door set into the wall near the gate leads into the gate tower. The aroma of cooked food wafting from the inn makes your mouth water.
Fireheart snorts as she passes the Queen's Eye and continues without a word west out the gates.
West of Menari
You are standing outside the western gates to the Aldani city of Menari. In front of the gates stand sentries, watching everyone closely. Leading from the gate is a well-tended stone road heading towards the west, reaching all the way to the Western Interface. The Forts of the Vehrakt can also be reached by this path. To the north, you see the thick Bayoon Forest, with the Kalacann Mountains rising up in the far background.
Charles says, "We're outside now. What's this all about?"
Fireheart snorts and growls at the guards as she snatches up a pair of wicked looking spears. She tells them curtly, "I'll take these back, thank you." She then swiftly slings them over her shoulders so they are now criscrossed behind her back. She then contines west to get out of earshot from the guards before answering. "You are now a dragon. We all call ourselves the Tal, which means the people. But we are no longer one unified people. We are split into two sub-races. The Tal'Aldani back there, and the Tal'Vehrakt, which you are. How do I know? Your spines. If you noticed, all of theirs were black. Yours and mine are red."
Charles looks back. "Spines?
Fireheart turns around and points to the row of spines starting at the top of her head and running down to the length of her tail. "It's a pain on clothing, but once you get used to them, you won't have a problem. They usually lay flat when you sit or lay down."
Charles sees her wings and moves them a bit. "Those are new."
Fireheart says, "Then I can safely say you don't know how to fly. You're going to have to learn if you're going to get anywhere in Vehrakt. Most of the forts are accessible only by flight."
Charles says, "Flight?"
Fireheart points up, "I take it you also don't look up much, either then. Didn't you notice all the dragons flying around? Why else have wings? Come, we'll continue your lessons on the way to Gateway Fort. There, I'll get you started on flight."
Charles nods.
Fireheart heads west away from Menari's walls.
Crossroads West of Menari
The stone road here runs from Menari to the east to the west, with a branch heading north into the Bayoon Forest and Vehrakt territory. Markers at the crossroads clearly show this and the occasional Vehrakt dragon deters strangers who have no buisness in their lands.
Fireheart stops to point out Bayoon Forest. "This is the southernmost range of Vehrakt lands. For now. All the way west to the Western Interface to Menari's walls practically, and into the Veltagar Mountains beyond. Any questions?"
Charles says, "Not right now."
Fireheart nods, "Then let's head north here. This is only one of two ways into any Vehrakt Fortress. The other way is way off at the Northeastern interface. That road leads to Serpent's Kiss Keep. All other Vehrakt Forts are nestled in the mountains."
Southern Bayoon Forest
Strongy, hardy trees surround you. The stone road continues north and south. It's quiet around here...almost too quiet.
Charles says, "Nice place."
Fireheart nods, "Just wait till you get to the mountains. And the Throne of Viktiss." She sounds in awe of this Viktiss.
Charles says, "Who's that?"
Fireheart stops and puts her hand over her chest badge in allegiance. She says in a softer voice, "He is our God. The mighty Viktiss who will lead his people to glory and conquest, uniting the Tal once again under the rule of the Vehrakt!"
Charles scofs. "Yeah, right."
Fireheart glares at you with a soft growl under her breath. "Because you are new and do not know any better, I will let that go unpunished. But remember this, child. Those who oppose Viktiss will end up feeding his belly. Now come." She then turns and continues north.
Charles follows. "I'd just give him indigestion."
Fireheart ignores Charles as she walks north.
Northern Bayoon Forest
Trees surround you thickly here, almost muffling the very sound of your steps. It feels oppresive here. You feel watched, but see no eyes. The stone path continues north to Gateway Fort and south, out of the forest.
Fireheart continues north silently.
Entrance to Gateway Fort
Having reached the end of the one road through the Bayoon forest, you find yourself at the point where the forested foothills at last give way to the towering peaks of the Kalacann mounains. The slopes of the Kalacanns provide a treacherous natural barrier of cliffs and precipices, with only the Gateway Pass serving as a literal gateway for ground traffic into the mountains themselves. And dominating the pass is the brooding edifice of Gateway Fortress. It is here that you will first encounter the classic Vehrakt architecture, fortress keeps which occupy both sides of a pass and loom over the passage through. Terraced courtyards and balconies sweep up the cliffs to either side, dug back beneath overhanging stone over centuries of occupation. Corridors and chambers are tunneled into the depths of the mountains to either side of the pass, and even cross beneath it to link both sides. In Vehrakt the pass IS the fortress. Before you are the massive gates leading into the pass, and at the far end stand their twins. The length of the pass between the gates serves as a checkpoint, a loading/unloading zone, a landing field... and if necessary, a killing ground. Welcome to Vehrakt territory.
Charles hehs "Who's your architect?"
Fireheart smiles proudly, letting the earlier incident fall away for now. "This Fort is old. No one really knows for sure who built it. But we have claimed it and made it our own. Let's go inside."
Gateway Fort
Gateway: The name says it all. You stand in the body of the pass, between North and South Gates. To either side, the mass of the fortress itself sweeps up the cliffs, with warriors visibly patrolling terrace and balcony alike. There are always at least a dozen watchful eyes turned on the pass, and more on the skies above. You COULD attempt entry into one half of the fortress or the other, but perhaps it is best to continue on and hope the guards let you exit the pass. That is, if they aren't letting you get this far already only because it amuses them...
Charles sighs and shakes her head.
Fireheart turns to look at you, wondering what made you sigh like that...?
Charles says, "Yes?"
Fireheart looks at you closely, "You sounded unhappy. Why?"
Charles says, "Nevermind. Hey. Where's the men's room?"
Fireheart looks at you and laughs. "I'm sorry, but you don't need the men's room. You arn't a male any more."
Charles says, "Nice joke. Now where's the men's room"
Fireheart looks at you smiling, trying not to laugh out loud. She calls down for a warrior to come here. This large, male dragon stands next to Fireheart. She tilts his head down so you get a good close look at his crest horns. She then tilts her head sideways, rubbing at her own fan crest. She points at your head, "Males have horns for a crest. Females have fan-shaped crests. You may have been a male before, but you're female now." She then sends the warrior off to his own duties.
Charles blinks a bit. It probably hasn't hit her yet.
Fireheart sighs and shakes her head, watching and waiting on you.
Charles blinks again and falls unconcious in a heap.
Fireheart palm smacks with a groan as she looks at your unconcious body. She remains standing, not bothering to help you out. No other dragon comes to your aide, either.
Charles groans and sits up.
Fireheart crosses her arms over her chest again, "Welcome back. Now stand up like a proper warrior."
Charles stands up. "Whoever runs this place has one sick sense of humor."
Fireheart looks interested, "And why do you think that?"
Charles rolls her eyes. "Oi. Nevermind."
Fireheart shrugs as if not caring either way.
Charles says, "So where's the *shudder* lady's room?"
Fireheart flags a passing female warrior and gives her directions to show you to the 'lady's room' and then to the pools to clean off. She also tells the warrior to find you something more appropraite to wear that actually fits and then to bring you back to her here. She turns to you and says, "Follow her. Obey her instructions. We'll talk more when you've been better cleaned up."
Charles nods and folows the warrior.
After a while, Charles returns, looking much better in a black outfit that actually fits her new body.
Fireheart is watching a pair of sparring warriors off to the side. Both warriors are female and unarmed, fighting claw to claw. Fireheart does not notice when you come back.
Charles looks at the match. "I think the red one will win. She looks like she has a few inches and a few pounds on the other one."
Karin enters from the southern gates.
Karin has arrived.
Karin comes in, for once, not wearing one of her cloaks.
Charles doesn't notice.
Karin is nude instead.
Fireheart does not turn, yet is interested at Charles' prediction of the sparring match. Sure enough, the red female bests the brown female with a tail sweep and shoulder lock. She does not see Karin approaching as her back is turned to Karin.
Fireheart nods and congratulates the victor before turning to face Charles. Thats when she notices Karin from the side of her eye. She turns and bows at the waist to her, "Elder. What brings you out here? And where is your cloak? Is something wrong, Elder?"
Charles says, "By the way, you never told me your name."
Karin shakes her head a little, giving friendly nods, "Ohh, no nothing, just out enjoying some time away from my duties, taking a flight mearly for the pleasure of it."
Charles looks at what has Fireheart's attention and just nods to Karin.
Karin examins Charles closely for a moment, "And who is your companion Fireheart? I do not remember seeing her around before."
Fireheart nods at Karin's words, "As you wish Elder. I had just picked up this new one from Menari." She turns towards Charles, "By the way, I am known as Fireheart, priestess for Vehrakt Fortress. This is Head Priestess Karin. Please show her the respect she deserves."
Charles extends a hand. "Hi. I'm Charles."
Fireheart stifles a laugh, "She used to be male before coming to Argalia."
Karin nods, "I am Karin, High Priestess of Viktiss.", she inclines her head to one side a little, "Oh? Realy? Interesting."
Charles snorts softly at Fireheart for the laugh.
Charles is still holding her hand out.
Karin blinks and looks at Charles's hand, still not reaching to shake, "Why do you hold out your hand in that manner?"
Charles sighs. She grasps Karin's hand and shows her a handshake. "It's called a handshake."
Karin strikes out with her free hand, closing her fingers around Charles's throat, "What do you think your doing?", she says in a rather dangerous tone of voice.
Fireheart palm smacks again and watches the new one learn another hard lesson. 'Do not touch a priestess without her permission'."
Charles gasps! "It's just a handshake! It's how people back home greet each other!"
Karin looks to Fireheart, her hand tight around Charles's throat, "She is in your charge for now Fireheart?"
Charles says, "It's meant to show that both people are unarmed and no threat to each other!"
Charles struggles to breathe.
Fireheart shakes her head, "I just picked her up. I was about to leave her here with the Head of Gateway. I have my own duties back at Vehrakt. This one can't even fly yet."
Charles gasps. "She told me to show you respect. I was only doing as told"
Karin nods and releases her hold of Charles's throat, looking into her eyes, "We are never unarmed, and I have not lived over 500 years by trusting someone I have just met."
Charles gasps and pants. "It-doesn't mean You-trust-the other-person. It just mean-you have enough-respect not to threaten them."
Fireheart stays discreetly quiet.
Karin chuckles softly and holds up a hand, "With this I kill, all to easy, showing each other our hands only shows a visable weapon, there are many who would gladly see us no more."
Charles says, "You all expect everyone who arrives to know everything the moment they get here? Cripes!"
Fireheart shakes her head, "That you are still unharmed shows we are flexible to a new one's way of thinking."
Charles says, "About as flexable as a steel rod"
Karin actualy smiles, shaking her head a little, "No, not realy, I had hopes that you had been instructed a litle at least.", she cocks her head a little to one side, "You know, I think I like you, you have spirit."
Charles gets enough breath back to stand up straight.
Fireheart swiftly, without warning, swings out with one of her spears that seems to have jumped to her hands and has the blade just inches from Charles's throat, "And this steel rod does not like repeating lessons. I suggest you learn quickly, because I to, like your spirit and would not like to see it die too soon."
Charles stays quiet. It's not wise to speak ill of others when there's a blade to your neck.
Fireheart nods and removes the spear from Charles' throat, swiftly returning it to her back.
Karin chuckles softly, "You learn fast, good, you have many years here to learn the finer points, but you must soon learn that we are always testing each other."
Charles whews and says under her breath, "Bootcamp of Hades"
Karin looks at Charles, "You will soon learn not to speak strange launguages around your superiors, some are afraid of every new one to join us, not sure if thay have the strength of heart to be one with us."
Fireheart is about to add in about obeying the word of a priestess, but decides not too, remembering Charles's earlier reaction to her speaking of Viktiss.
Charles says, "So when do I start training?"
Fireheart chuckles, "You already have been. But you mean formal training in combat? I'll leave that up to the one's in charge here."
Charles nods.
Karin inclines her head a little, "We also should see about coming up with a better name for you."
Charles says, "What's wrong with Charles?"
Fireheart shakes her head, "It's a male's name. You arn't a male anymore."
Charles says, "You're the expert on this place. What do you suggest?"
Karin shakes her head a little, "It fits strangly on the tongue."
Fireheart shrugs, "That's not for me to say. It is your name and will be yours until you die. It must be a name of your choosing."
Charles thinks. "How's Hemlock sound?"
Fireheart nods, "Sounds good. And deadly. I can only hope you live up to that name then."
Fireheart looks up at the sun in the sky, judging the time. She steps back, bowing again to Karin, "If you'll excuse me, it is late and I must return to the fortress. May Viktiss honor you all." She turns and leaves, nodding to Arch as she goes.