Chapter 25

The group goes shopping in this little trade town. They can easily resupply here. Brygund's cart is a blessing; They can carry much more, much more easily. Smiling and farting, Brygund is happy to announce that he's be asked to go with the party to chronicle your journey. The priests at the Light Uncovered were so impressed with them all that they are certain great things will come of this.

Gwenh does tell Cael that she can dampen her own magical aura. Before they leave, the silver-haired elf will cast a change aura spell on herself and on anyone who wants this done, then polymorph herself into a white dog.

Bidding adieu to the Sign of the Golden Bear, the group turns south again, towards Ehosia. Three fairly boring weeks pass. You meet other wagons and whole caravans, going both north and south on the trade road. The olive complextion of Ehosians becomes a more and more common sight.

So does Krissa Gallowglass. The closer you get to Ehosia, the more frequently she is with the group. By the last week of your journey, Falling Leaf has nearly disappeared.

Nights, Krissa/Leaf and Cael can tutor the group in Ehosian, teaching simple traveller's phrases as well as words for use in combat. Brygund learns most easily, as he already reads Ehosian and just needs to learn how to pronounce it.

For safety and subterfuge, Kyrial has magically altered her features to look human, matching the olive-skinned Ehosians' skin tone and darkening her hair. And every night Kyrial leaves the camp and returns by dawn. In her meditations, she attempts to send a message to her High Priestess. A few days before reaching the capital, she gets a response.

"Kyrial, why do you contact me?"

"I am still waiting on that messenger... I was told by an agent she would carry updated maps of the Ehosian Church building. I am about to reach the capital."

"Ah yes." The High Priestess's chuckles send shivers down Kyrial's spine. "That one. Well, be surprised. I don't need to tell you... but I will. He will find you soon. This conversation is over."

"High Prieste...." But the connection was broken. "What are they thinking, sending me a male?"

Finally, a checkpoint sitting on the road ahead announces that you've come to the borders of the Pearl Kingdom. North Ehosia is now a gently rolling grasslands. In the distance along the road is the first important Ehosian center of trade and the first ley gate a Northern traveller can reach. The group will arrive in Sommayid by the end of the day.

The party approaches the chekpoint. The guard issues one of the standard Ehosian greetings, "Be welcome in the name of the Firelord. Who seeks entry into the great kingdom?" Those who have just started learning Ehosian hear and recognize the greeting (it's a stock phrase) and understand he's asking who wants in.

Trying not to glare at the sunlight, Kyrial wishes she could do something to shoot the sun out of the sky. In the meantime... "Yes sirs, we would like to enter," she says, pointing at the party.

Cael looks up slowly as he listens to the guards and Kyrial, but says nothing, not yet. He waits to see how Kyrial does. Cael himself is much changed. Gone is the young priest, tall and wiry. He now is slightly stooped, and strategically placed padding adds twenty or thirty pounds (in appearance, at least). A scar decorates his face, running from his left eye (now covered with a patch) down to his cheek. The judicious use of several herbs he traded for made the scratch he put on his face appear to really be an old scar, badly healed. He even was able to bleach part of the beard he now wears, so that the hairs immediately around the scar have turned white, as it often happens with real scars. Cael now looks older, a veteran of one of the many battles the Ehosians fought. A suitable disguise for one who would lead foreigners into the holy lands; one who would spy on the foreigners as much as guide them.

"Be welcome, son and daughter of the desert." The guard is speaking to Kyrial and Cael. "Pray, introduce your companions that we may keep record of their coming."

Cael's voice, when it comes forth, is rough and gravely, a suitable voice for his new persona. A concoction of herbs he had mixed days earlier had brought about the change. "May Eho shine His light down around you and illuminate our foes, protectors of the Pearl Kingdom. We guide the freeman Sivari of the House of the White Star and his retinue." Cael waved a hand at Toshiro, sitting up front next to Brygund on the wagon. "He seeks to sell his wares, fine silks from The Far Kingdoms."

The guards dutifully record the names (or aliases) of all of the foreigners. They then take an inventory of the goods in the wagon, checking for any illegal or smuggled items. Cael and Krissa, well aware of border procedures, made sure any suspiscious items were well concealed in the same hidden compartment the bandits had used. A small entry fee is assessed, based on the contents of the wagon, and the donkey pushes forward down the road.

The city before you looks vaguely like a northern one at festival time. There is a walled core, ringed about with high red walls - clay brick or red sandstone, you're not sure which. Spread out about it like a patchwork skirt is the Bazaar. It's a kaleidescope of tents, blankets, horses and camels. Brightly dressed merchants loudly proclaim the superiority of their merchandise. Equally loudly, little men and women laden with either racks of food or leathern sacks of water parade about, advertising a cheap lunch.

Nifty as the place may be, you are far, far from the Ehosian captial. That's a great desert city on the southern coast.

Kyrial is going to strive to get to the capital as soon as possible. She wants to eliminate powers behind the priests of Eyo soon, so she can return to home and claim her rightful place of power. Or torture things. Or both.

The silvery white greyhound that is Gwenh will stay in doggie form and follow Cael around while out and about until they reach the capital. Although *stretch, yawn* being a dog is just soo darned exhausting *whew!* what a hard life!

Cael shook his head as he walked back to the inn where the party was staying. He had slipped out earlier, to try to get in contact with the resistance, but he was unsucessful in his search, and it frustrated him. He wasn't able to spend much time searching, though, since he didn't like leaving the others alone. Krissa he knew could handle herself... the others though, they might get themselves in trouble and not know it until too late.

He paused in the doorway of the inn before stepping in. He looked around, momentarily feeling like he was being watched, but seeing no one. "You're imagining things now," he muttered to himself. Either that or your resistance contact just showed up. I hope. Hiding a smile, Cael stepped into the inn, looking around to see who was around.

This place of rest is a strange cross between the Ehosian and northern styles. The group will feel fairly at home in the main room, although the walls with be a pale stucco rather than dark timber. There are wooden tables and chairs, as well as some low tables and cushions for the Ehosian traders who stay here. Rooms are very much like those in northern inns.

The layout is a bit different, with the rooms wrapping around a central courtyard. Doors in the main room open into it, and a soft breeze blows through them, bringing a soft cedary scent with it. You can also glimpse a shallow pool out there.

The place is redolent of the smell of old kaffi rather than stale beer. There is some alcohol available to drink, but most of the locals prefer to stop in for a tiny cup of the very strong, dark, invigorating brew. It was a busy place earlier, with traders and their assistants running in and out with news about which deals were available where. Now that the sun is going down, things are quieter, and people in a wide variety of dress are clustered about the tables. Many have brought the eating implements of their homeland, and merchants' servants are setting tables and serving forth the food prepared in the inn's kitchen.

One man catches Cael's eye. An Ehosian in a loose-fitting kaftan sits alone at a table dressed by a single thick red candle. Not terribly unusual - red, being the color of Eho, is considered lucky - but the resistance often uses candles of about that size and shape to identify one to the other in public places.

Cael stares at the candle for a moment, searching for the symbol he had been told should be shown on it.... Ah, there! The crude carving of a flametailed hawk, Eho's personal messenger, is half covered by drips of wax, but still visible.

Cael approaches the man, and quietly says, ::May Eho's light shine upon you, cousin.:: The greeting is common enough, but the honorific 'cousin' isn't, which is why the Resistance added it as part of their identifying code.

The man looks up at Cael. ::His light shines upon us all, cousin.:: His rely is quiet as well. There is still enough noise in the room that it would be hard to hear the conversation from more than a few feet away, even with elvish ears.

::Not those who hide in the shadows.:: Cael finishes his part of the identification he had been taught many months ago.

The man relaxes somewhat. ::Then those in the shadows shall weep, soon enough.:: He pats the pillow next to him. ::Come, cousin, join me. I have just ordered some of the Zudwarch dwarves' latest. You can entertain me with your exploits while we wait.:: The kaff grown by the dwarves of the Zudwarch mountains, to the southeast, was one of the premiere blends available. Cael tried not to show too much eagerness as he sat.

::I lead the Dhimmi Sivari, silk merchant and lord of the House of the White Star, and his caravan.:: Cael gestures towards the party, sitting over at another table. The man glances over at them and asks, ::They are Dhimmi?:: The Dhimmi were 'protected' non-followers of Eho. Sometimes, the Patriarch allows special dispensation for merchants who are bringing him something. The protection allows travel within Ehosia but doesn't exempt the one protected from most of Ehoisa's laws.

::Yes, bearing... gifts for the Patriarch.::

Conversation pauses for a moment as a child appears, bearing a tray with the ordered kaff, along with various condiments and several small porcelain cups. Cael fills two cups with the brew, and spoons some honey into his. Aah. I have missed this for too long.

The man hands the boy a coin, and waits until he leaves before speaking quietly. ::It will take some time to gather what you need, cousin. I will return in one or two days with the papers.:: In a slightly louder voice, the man says, ::I will return to my master, and tell him what you have said. You will be here?::

Cael slips into the facade. ::We shall be here for two days, no more. If your master wishes to talk to the esteemed merchant, he must send word by then.::

The man bows slightly. ::It shall be done. I shall return within two days, with word from my master.:: With that, the man places several coins upon the table, nods slightly towards the red candle, the rises and leaves.

Cael remains seated, finishing the kaff.

Toshiro sits at the table with Krissa and the others, listening quietly to the goings on in the common room. Concentrating on his hearing, he manages to pick out several accents among the Ehosians here just as gentleman seated with Cael leaves him. I hope that went well...

Krissa is having a high old time, speaking in rapid-fire Ehosian to the staff and drinking her kaffi doctored with whiskey she'd brought in with her.

Cael lingers over his cup of kaff, staring at the flame of the candle. When he is finally finished, he loads everything (including the candle) onto the serving tray, intent on taking it over to the party's table. He is almost there when a newcomer approaches his friends.

Straka dons his disguise and saunters over to the gentleman in the silken robe and inquires about the greyhound, explaining that he is looking for someone, that perhaps this 'dog' will bring him a clue as to where to find Kyrial.

"Just who might you be looking for?" Toshiro says in a most neutral tone.

"I am looking for someone. I have something to deliver to them. Her name is Kyrial. Do you know of her?"

"Yes.... I do know of her. Would she know of you?"

Straka grows impatient with Toshiro. "Kyrial knows that she is to meet with someone, however does not know who, nor where."

Cael, tensed and ready in case this newcomer attacked Toshiro, relaxed as he heard Kyrial's name mentioned. As far as he knew, the group had been using their assumed names since they entered Ehosia, so if this man knew Kyrial, then he should be okay. But not trusted. Anyone who knows that Drow too well cannot be trusted.

Cael walked up to the table and sat his tray down on it. "Ease up on him," he directs at Toshiro. "If he knows her, then he should be okay. Care to join us for some kaff?" He directs this last towards the newcomer.

With a slight sarcastic look in his eye, Straka answers yes to Cael's invite to sit with them, all the while with a burning look into Toshiro's eyes.

Kyrial stops at the bartender and asks him whether he carries bloodwine. Getting a rather funny look, she quickly responds with "I was told it was good by one of my friends, a practical joker." She shrugs. "Can I get some of your most excellent kaff instead?" Bah, weak stuff and weaker bartender. Kaff in hand, she joins the party at their table, noticing the newcomer with a raised eyebrow. Short and to the point, she indicates Straka. "So who's this?"

Cael looks up at Kyrial. "We were hoping you'd tell us. He says he knows you, mentioned you by name." Cael quirks up an eyebrow. "Expecting someone?"

A brief look of surprise surprise crosses Kyrial's usually unperturbed face. "I will have to check that it is who I am expecting. You!" She points at Straka. "Do you have the papers I need?"

Toshiro watches the proceeds with a curious eye. Trying to not give everyone away is proving difficult, he thought as Kyrial accosted the newcomer. He sighs. No sense of circumspection... and she is supposed to be a professional? We are doomed...

Straka is taken back by Kyrial's VERY blunt and unnerving approach. "Aye, I have the papers which you have been waiting for." He sees the others around the table breathe a sigh of relief.

Kyrial doesn't fail to see the brief moment of hesitation before Straka answers. Soft material, then. I'm surprised. Let's hope he has something worthwhile on him, otherwise why send him to me? A test of my worthiness?

To the others, she says, "The papers contain some information that will be helpful in our 'research'. We can discuss this later, I hope." In a lot more privacy

Cael downed the last of his kaff in a single gulp. "Well, I'm finished here. Why don't we retire now, and look over what our new 'friend,'" he gestures towards Straka, "has brought to us."

"Very well, then finish your drinks and we will head upstairs."

And lo, everyone drinks up. Krissa weaves, just a bit, as she makes her way up the stairs. She tries to make friendly conversation in her own way. "So, um, Straka, right? Yeah. So, how'd you meet Kyrial and all? An'," her voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper, "where'd you get those plans, eh?"

"I was sent by my master, with these plans, to give them to Kyrial."

Straka takes a seat with the others upstairs and proceeds to explain the maps in detail. He points out various routes and where guards are likely to be patrolling.

Once safely in the suite of rooms the group has reserved, Krissa listens raptly as Straka goes over the details of the maps.

"And it's gonna be fairly lightly guarded 'round noon, since everybody'll be in for worship... but that's when the target'll be surrounded by all his buddies, a few hundred witnesses, and a nimbus of power. Or whatever. Bad to attack a sun-priest at noon. But I bet we could get into the complex around the temple about then..."

She breaks off and cocks her head in a curious manner, as if listening for a far-off noise. "Yeah, good points. Better get all that cleared up. The boss wants to know who your target is, Kyrial. The Patriarch isn't on our list; I think they want manuever some more to get a good successor lined up. Khadijah of the Order of Golden Fire, though... a supposedly 'holy' warrior the boss's people have a bone to pick with. She's tops. There are a bunch of others on the list in the captial, if we've got time and aren't being pursued."

She looks to Toshiro, Cael, and the (greyhound) Gwenh. "And what's your angles? Something about despoilers or something?"

"well," Kyrial wonders to herself how much she has to tell them to keep them satisfied. "For me, any interruption in the worship of the heretics is good. They are causing trouble at home." No need to say more. "If we can find out who's behind the heretics specifically, that would be great information to have." Yes, for later removal.

Krissa blinks. "Who's behind them? Well, the Patriarch runs the faith. Right now, though, if he's, um, removed, the next likely candidate is just as bad. The boss's bosses are trying to get it set up so that a better replacement will come along, but... well, I don't know how much success they're having.

"Behind the Patriarch is Eho, I guess. The god. Although... well, Cael here's an Ehosian, and he isn't about killing off elves. How does that figure, anyway? And um... well, any problems with Khadijah?"

"Khadijah?" asked Kyrial. "Who or what is that?"

Krissa appears to be sunk in thought for a moment. "Khadijah of the Order of the Golden Fire, as I said. The Golden Fire is a warrior branch of the church. She is not its leader, but she's... active in leading 'cleansings.' She caught the Big Bosses' attention, and that got her on the List. She's your best friend if you're Ehosian, I hear tell. All about nobility and honor. But if you're not... I hear a sword through the gut is about the best you can hope for. The worst can be a lot nastier."

Cael stayed quiet as Krissa and Kyrial talked, his skin growing cold as they blithely discussed murder. His weeks of travel with this group had almost made him forget who they worked for, ultimately. Oh Eho, have I made a mistake, joining with ones such as these? I am trying to bring your truth back to the people, to return them to your path, but these.... The only path they know is death.

At the mention of Khadijah, however, his tensions eased somewhat. If someone ever needed to meet with the Holy Fire, or a journey into the Great Desert, it would be she. "Khadijah would be your friend only until she found some 'heresey' about you, real or imagined. Then she would cheerfully laugh as she stakes you out in the Great Desert. There are some who could be open to the truth, but her? No, she gains too much by following the false god."

At Cael's disclosure, Toshiro speaks. "Well then" he said as he looked over the maps abit closer. "She shall have to answer to Eho... personally. Maybe her demise coupled with the striking down of at least two more of the most vocal of the False Followers might cause enough dissention for the true priests to enable a coup. A risky move at best, suicidal at worst." Looking up at everyone, he smiled. "I believe the Gajin phrase is 'I'm Game.'" Any looking at Toshiro will get the feeling he had done something similar to this in his past...

"Damn! "A coup? Didn't realize there were that many Followers of the True Flame. Damn, Cael, you people are good at keeping secrets," Krissa comments. She pauses to think, this time without the odd impression that she's listening to something. "I wonder if your folks and the boss's folks ought to get together... could be good, could be..." she breaks off with the expression of someone who's eaten something sour. "Well, it's an idea, anyway. Jeez."

Kyrial cocks her head, a slight smile around her mouth, never touching her eyes. Sarcastically, she thinks to herself. Ok, so this Cael claims to be a true priest of Eho.. and those guys are the false ones. So he will kill the "false" priests, then proclaim himself to be the new prophet or whatnot, I'm sure. Like I care. Now the question is.. will he and his followers leave us alone? If so.. all is good. I shall have to see...

Cael hesitates for a few moments. Should I leave them in the dark about this? If they think there are more of us than there truely are... no, that could only bring disaster. "Krissa, the reason we're so good at keeping that particular secret is because it isn't one. There aren't that many who have come forward to espouse the truth about Eho and the church. There are many among the Ehosian chruch whom we could convince of their errors and make repent, but until we convince them they are still our enemies."

Toshiro considers Cael's words. Thinking over his statement, he realized there may not be as many as he would like... "Cael... there really aren't very many that see, are there?" He asked, knowing he was not going to like the answer. For what they were planning, all the help they could get would be needed... and he feared there would be no help coming. Oh why do I always get involved in these things...

The greyhound lisens to everyone talk, tired of being in doggie form, Gwenh resumes her elvish form while they are all sfely in the room, so that she can contribute to the conversation. It is hard to form words when you have a dog's mouth!

"Oh! Hi, Gwenh. Straka, Gwenh; Gwenh, Straka." Krissa performs perfunctory introductions. "Say..." she muses. "Unless you want to stay in dog form, there, we could bundle you up to hide your face and ears. Lots of Ehosian women and some of the raiding outlyer tribes go in for full-facial coverings, either scarves or veils or somesuch.

"Would that work?" Gwenh looks at Cael for a moment, hoping he could answer her question better, but something told her to trust Krissa. "But wouldn't it be odd if the strange dog was gone and instead a shrouded woman left with you?" Maybe no one would notice and she could get out of this dog form.

Cael looked thoughtful and chewed at his lip for several moments before answering Gwehn. "It might work.... In fact, it should work. Shrouded women are almost considered invisible around here; first, they are women, and second, they are considered another man's primary wife, his property. Which is why the woman is wearing the shroud... only her husband is allowed to see her beauty. And why I never thought of it... I am neither a woman nor married." His face darkens a bit. "It would allow you to move around more freely, but if we are stopped and searched for some reason, it mean almost certain detection. But still, I think we should risk it. If we did run into trouble, it would take you too long to change from your dog form to be able to help."

"And as for where the strange dog went... hey, I'm a 'northern barbarian', after all," Krissa grins. "If anybody asks, I'll just say I ate you. So, our 'native guide' picked up his wife to accompany him, the silk merchant, and... what are we, three bodyguards now?" she asks Kyrial and Straka. "Or are you two going to take the underground routes and meet us in the captial?"

Naturally assuming herself to be in charge, Kyrial answers for both her and Straka. "We will accompany you. I have means of disguising myself, and..." She looks disdainful. "I can make sure Straka looks human, as well." In other words, pasty faced and disgusting looking. Ugly.

Kyrial sighs inwardly. "As to the dog, I'd not even bother explaining it until questioned. A dog is a dog, even if silver. Who would notice? If questioned, we can say it took sick, like the strange breed that it is, and died. Perhaps insinuating that 'Lady' Krissa here helped the dog on its way, and that's why today's meat broth tastes so... interesting. I suggest we find some carriage to take us out of here and on our way. The sooner we leave the better, lest we arouse suspicion for staying here so long." Not to mention the corpses will start smelling.

"Sounds interesting. Just in case I didn't quite catch everything, who's wife will I be?" Gwenh looked at everyone and wondered when more dark elves joined them. Her kin would of skinned her alive for speaking to such creatures, but they have no care for her anymore, why she she care for their laws? Though she did bit her lip at the humans comment. Her Aunt fell in love with a human, she watched him grow old and die, but it was love none the less, oh well, some races are just biased like that.

"His." Krissa points to Cael. "Since he's the actual, real-life Ehosian of the group."

She continued. "So... we want to a) get to the bottom of this whole Great Forest wilting thing, b) let the boss get her petite hands on Khadijah if possible, and c)... um, Kyrial will just be doing whatever sort of things she does. Mayhem, destruction, et cetera, et cetera. And maybe d) rebellion and overthrow." She glances towards Toshiro.

"We've all got disguises, Cael's getting us travel papers, and Gwenh's disguising our magical traces to keep the locals from tracking us through the gates. We'll head to the captial and, uh... well, I know somethin' about Goal B and Goal C is all on Kyrial and Straka, but did you guys have any ideas on A and D? Or will be deal with that when we get there?"

Toshiro thinks a moment. "Goal A already has the beginnings of a answer; the final one awaits to be found. Goal D is reliant on whom can help and who is not completely in sway of the false one... Mind you, the Gods of my lands are a bit more... visible when change of such nature is needed. I would hope Eho will give a Vision to those who may be saved... when the time is right. Otherwise.... we wing it." A smile ended his spoken thoughts. Ancestors, I must be crazy...

Within two days, papers mystically appear in Cael's possession that indicate the group of you are bringing a gift of fine silk to the Ehosian Patriarch. This more or less gives you the freedom to travel in Ehosia without being killed as demon-worshipping non-believers.