”Shiress, there is always a cost for everything in life. That is especially true of the Gods and their gifts.” He said softly, his voice a dangerous level of low. “You never get square with them. They will ask things of you over and over and over. That is doubly true of those of the darkness. You more than likely sold your son into Rhysol’s service for the whole of his life. Yourself as well.” The man said, his blue eyes thoughtful, almost sad. “They hide in plain sight, do the Gods, and usually in the guise of philanthropy. But its never as it looks… as it seems.” He said quietly. “You see, your worship feeds them. Your need gives them power. Every time you say their names, they pull from you. If enough people follow them, look to them, pray to them… they get empowered. By giving little Ian a toy that guards him, Ian is getting more and more indebted to Rhysol and that too gives him power.” Shadekas said firmly.
The monk began to pace, lost in thought. This was all deeply troubling to him. Hadrian hadn’t mentioned any of this and Shade guessed he hadn’t known the whole of the truth. “Shiress, its rarely clear cut when it comes to the Gods. You might seem to be one thing, but you can be a whole different thing in their eyes. They don’t care about money, status, or anything that usually matters openly to us humans. It might be something as simple as a single act you preformed in a past life. For all of that, Ian might be someone special that they are already waging war over even though he’s still a child. Their attention might be because you are a beautiful woman and Rhysol took note of it. Or you might hold a secret in your blood or in your mind. You might be something to someone that they support or consider an enemy like Ian’s father. It is hard to know, but you should look further into it.” He said softly, wondering if there was a soothsayer or reader of cards here in this new place.
“We need someone who has good sight. A Konti Seer would be ideal. Anyone though… with Avadas’ Mark and the ability to see through all the bullshit that is so often in the way of the truth. I wonder if there is someone in The Outpost? We need to talk to the Founders here and see if there is a Seer.” He said thoughtfully. “Yes, I mean a psychic. Their gifts are usually real. They might not be able to see everything or completely fill in all the blanks, but they can hold more information.” He added, then quietly went into listening mode as Shiress spoke more about her life.
Her tale was a sad one, not what he’d expected from her for sure. Had he a guess, Shadekas would have thought she a daughter of some rich Ravokian house or even a trade family. She didn’t seem all that poor. Her clothing was of a finer gilt and she sounded educated. Her profession, if nothing else, indicated that. It was very rare that a doctor was also a slave. “Yes, a jeweler. I fell into it when I was younger. And I most certainly can. I thought of taking a job in Syka as one, but I’m not sure there’s much call for it here. There might be later, but it will have to be after this mess is sorted out.” He added, nodding. “I’d be glad to make something for you.” He said with a smile. “Give me some idea of what you like? I don’t know much about you other than a sketchy history of being on the run… and that you have a young son and a missing lover. And you tend to recklessly accept gifts from shady Gods.” He said with a laugh.
Shade was normally easy going, but everything Shiress had said had left him with a lot to think about. It was only when she started asking him questions about his past that he lost the deeply thoughtful look and glanced up at her. “Nyka is ran by the Monkhood. We… control the food, money, and government.” He said quietly. “In the name of the Gods, of course, so that made us the military and administrative arm of the Government.” He explained. “I know a bit about hand-to-hand combat. I’m in fairly good shape. But I’m not specialized in a weapon. My work for the Monkhood was mostly involving jewelcrafting.” He said, knowing that was somewhat disappointing. “Monks have all sorts of skills. Some of us bred hunting dogs, some of us fought, and some of us were devote leading the faithful.” He added. “I can show you some basics, but I am not true warrior with a calling.” He said, reaching up to tease Opal a moment when she came to rest on his shoulder again.
“Not home.” She said, then nibbled at the top of his ear for a moment before she was gone again, exploring. Shade nodded, knowing the bird was right. “You’ll get used to it.” He assured the corvid before she was out of sight.
“I hope there are no predators for birds her size here. That coloring stands out in the jungle.” He said thoughtfully.
“No hobbies?” He seemed surprised. “Well, then I think it shall be interesting to see you develop a few. This city doesn’t seem particularly large, well stocked, or rife with things to do.” He said thoughtfully. “I’m not even sure it has enough people to support more than a casual jeweler. I don’t think I could make a living Jewelcrafting here. I’ll have to find something to do that bored people would flock too.” He said thoughtfully, then glanced at Shiress. He’d made a promise to protect her. But he wasn’t sure that was going to be very difficult in a city that wasn’t more than a few huts at the end of the world. Was she ready for this kind of rough living?
Shiress was a set of heavy contradictions and he wasn’t sure if she was to be believed. Who educated slaves? A runaway slave that was also a doctor? That seemed so far fetched and yet… here she was. He didn’t get the sense she was bullshitting him at all, but she didn’t have the ragged half-starved look of someone who owned nothing. Her son looked well cared for and fed adequately. In Nyka he knew starving people. She didn’t have the look of someone hungry. And while she might have had a few scars – he’d glimpsed more than one already – that didn’t mean she got them being someone’s property.
They arrived back at the Inn and Shade deposited Shiress’ bags in her room and went to put his own things away. She’d offered, at the beginning, to share a room with him. And he wondered about that. There was a giant checklist in his brain that he was slowly tallying pros and cons on the woman’s character, and none of it was making any sort of sense. He was from a place where his status literally gave him access to anything in the city he wanted. There were no doors barred to Monks. Women, food, leisurely entertainment… the world was theirs for the taking in Syka. Monks controlled the food and because of that, they controlled essentially everything. He wasn’t sure how to live outside of that environment where here his status was nothing and he had virtually no control of anything. He had a clear-cut mission though, but Hadrian had also told him this might be a while and that this was definitely his opportunity to get out of Nyka, see the world, and observe how the rest of it lived. There was a freedom in that and whether or not he returned became, somewhere along the lines, was his choice. Nyka certainly wouldn’t miss him.
As hard as it was to believe, Shade’s ethics didn’t line up exactly with those of the rest of the Monks. He had an inner compass that pointed a different direction than their usual true norths. He didn’t take the women he wanted when he wanted them. He didn’t keep all the good wine for himself and his brothers. He actually passed out food intended for the citizens, rather than having his own side business accepting bribes to make sure what he passed out was done so quickly so the food was always fresh and never spoiled. There were so many things in Nyka that Shade hadn’t agreed with. And he’d been working diligently to change things. But there was only so much one man could do with a conscience in a corrupt system that fed itself on immorality and greed? He’d hoped in taking this assignment from Hadrian, he’d find a new path and maybe a new place. Now though, hearing who this woman was and whom she seemed to be beholden too, was anything going to be different?
The Monk took his time putting his things away. He liked his room. It was open, airy, and had a breeze that blew its gossamer curtains out and about. The air was fresh and green, something he wasn’t used to in Nyka. Opal, of course, let herself in and surveyed the place. “Nice.” Was her only comment. He was still trying to get used to her talking. That was unusual. She hadn’t said much of interest yet, and he somehow doubted they’d have long philosophical conversations… but it was a start.
He swung by the kitchen and unused to asking for anything, he helped himself to wine, glasses, and a plate of snacks he assembled from a strange contraption that seemed to be a large insulated wooden box that held a huge cube of ice. He had no idea where ice was acquired in the tropics, but the food inside seemed fresh and delicious. He added some pastries he found on the counter to the tray, and carried it back to the private deck where Shiress had asked to meet him. He laid the things out then headed back to his room, having forgotten a notebook and some writing materials. Shade was a fastidious note taker, and he wanted to make some entries into his journal tonight while his memory was fresh. When he returned, Shiress was there… and she began to speak on her life.
The Monk pulled out a small vial of ink, opened his journal, and dipped a quill pen into the dark liquid. He carefully began to write, recording both his thoughts and what she said.
He listened intently… curious. She had a fantastical tale to tell, for certain, but there was something in her face that made him believe her. He was a fool for it, but as she spoke, he took notes, underlining points and adding his own personal code to what he wrote that indicated to him what needed further investigation or thought. He paled slightly under his bronze skin when she started to show emotion. That wasn’t something he was used too. Crying women. He set aside his journal, laid down his quill, and leaned closer. Frowning, he glanced around and picked up one of the linen napkins he had fetched from the kitchen with the snacks. “Here…” He said quietly, offering her the square of linen.
“The first thing you need to do, Lady, is to lock up all your emotions… stuff them in a little box in your mind… and think clearly. I’m not sure how you can be a healer and consider yourself ignorant. You are a mother and responsible for Ian’s life now. The first thing you need to do is get rid of that monkey… if you think it’s a danger to him. Children shouldn’t grow up that protected. They need to experience things, including hurts and hunger and danger. If you protect him from everything, you raise a weak child. If the God of Evil and Chaos gave my child a gift, I would get rid of it.” Shade said firmly… shaking his head even wondering what she was thinking asking such a boon of a God.
“If he has a mark over his heart, its probably already to late for him.” Shade said, trying to dig up some compassion, but finding it hard. He wasn’t invested in Shiress and Ian… at least not emotionally. And if he was wise, he’d keep it that way. “It’s been my experience children rarely deserve what they are given in life. He still has a mother. That’s better than most kids have it these days. And if you sit here on this deck in this place halfway across the world from civilization crying because you screwed up… he won’t have one long.” Shade said carefully.
He didn’t want to be cruel, but he was a Monk of Nyka and each and every one of his kind were heartless bastards… or they were supposed to be. He could protect her a bit… if he wanted to keep his word to Hadrian. But he couldn’t fix flat out stupid. And so far, the things she was telling him was leading him down that road at a dead run.
“My advice? Since your asking?” He said, pausing thoughtfully. “Start using your head. Educate yourself." He growled. Then he waited for her reaction, wondering if she was going to cry harder or decide to stop being a victim.
Words: 2266
The monk began to pace, lost in thought. This was all deeply troubling to him. Hadrian hadn’t mentioned any of this and Shade guessed he hadn’t known the whole of the truth. “Shiress, its rarely clear cut when it comes to the Gods. You might seem to be one thing, but you can be a whole different thing in their eyes. They don’t care about money, status, or anything that usually matters openly to us humans. It might be something as simple as a single act you preformed in a past life. For all of that, Ian might be someone special that they are already waging war over even though he’s still a child. Their attention might be because you are a beautiful woman and Rhysol took note of it. Or you might hold a secret in your blood or in your mind. You might be something to someone that they support or consider an enemy like Ian’s father. It is hard to know, but you should look further into it.” He said softly, wondering if there was a soothsayer or reader of cards here in this new place.
“We need someone who has good sight. A Konti Seer would be ideal. Anyone though… with Avadas’ Mark and the ability to see through all the bullshit that is so often in the way of the truth. I wonder if there is someone in The Outpost? We need to talk to the Founders here and see if there is a Seer.” He said thoughtfully. “Yes, I mean a psychic. Their gifts are usually real. They might not be able to see everything or completely fill in all the blanks, but they can hold more information.” He added, then quietly went into listening mode as Shiress spoke more about her life.
Her tale was a sad one, not what he’d expected from her for sure. Had he a guess, Shadekas would have thought she a daughter of some rich Ravokian house or even a trade family. She didn’t seem all that poor. Her clothing was of a finer gilt and she sounded educated. Her profession, if nothing else, indicated that. It was very rare that a doctor was also a slave. “Yes, a jeweler. I fell into it when I was younger. And I most certainly can. I thought of taking a job in Syka as one, but I’m not sure there’s much call for it here. There might be later, but it will have to be after this mess is sorted out.” He added, nodding. “I’d be glad to make something for you.” He said with a smile. “Give me some idea of what you like? I don’t know much about you other than a sketchy history of being on the run… and that you have a young son and a missing lover. And you tend to recklessly accept gifts from shady Gods.” He said with a laugh.
Shade was normally easy going, but everything Shiress had said had left him with a lot to think about. It was only when she started asking him questions about his past that he lost the deeply thoughtful look and glanced up at her. “Nyka is ran by the Monkhood. We… control the food, money, and government.” He said quietly. “In the name of the Gods, of course, so that made us the military and administrative arm of the Government.” He explained. “I know a bit about hand-to-hand combat. I’m in fairly good shape. But I’m not specialized in a weapon. My work for the Monkhood was mostly involving jewelcrafting.” He said, knowing that was somewhat disappointing. “Monks have all sorts of skills. Some of us bred hunting dogs, some of us fought, and some of us were devote leading the faithful.” He added. “I can show you some basics, but I am not true warrior with a calling.” He said, reaching up to tease Opal a moment when she came to rest on his shoulder again.
“Not home.” She said, then nibbled at the top of his ear for a moment before she was gone again, exploring. Shade nodded, knowing the bird was right. “You’ll get used to it.” He assured the corvid before she was out of sight.
“I hope there are no predators for birds her size here. That coloring stands out in the jungle.” He said thoughtfully.
“No hobbies?” He seemed surprised. “Well, then I think it shall be interesting to see you develop a few. This city doesn’t seem particularly large, well stocked, or rife with things to do.” He said thoughtfully. “I’m not even sure it has enough people to support more than a casual jeweler. I don’t think I could make a living Jewelcrafting here. I’ll have to find something to do that bored people would flock too.” He said thoughtfully, then glanced at Shiress. He’d made a promise to protect her. But he wasn’t sure that was going to be very difficult in a city that wasn’t more than a few huts at the end of the world. Was she ready for this kind of rough living?
Shiress was a set of heavy contradictions and he wasn’t sure if she was to be believed. Who educated slaves? A runaway slave that was also a doctor? That seemed so far fetched and yet… here she was. He didn’t get the sense she was bullshitting him at all, but she didn’t have the ragged half-starved look of someone who owned nothing. Her son looked well cared for and fed adequately. In Nyka he knew starving people. She didn’t have the look of someone hungry. And while she might have had a few scars – he’d glimpsed more than one already – that didn’t mean she got them being someone’s property.
They arrived back at the Inn and Shade deposited Shiress’ bags in her room and went to put his own things away. She’d offered, at the beginning, to share a room with him. And he wondered about that. There was a giant checklist in his brain that he was slowly tallying pros and cons on the woman’s character, and none of it was making any sort of sense. He was from a place where his status literally gave him access to anything in the city he wanted. There were no doors barred to Monks. Women, food, leisurely entertainment… the world was theirs for the taking in Syka. Monks controlled the food and because of that, they controlled essentially everything. He wasn’t sure how to live outside of that environment where here his status was nothing and he had virtually no control of anything. He had a clear-cut mission though, but Hadrian had also told him this might be a while and that this was definitely his opportunity to get out of Nyka, see the world, and observe how the rest of it lived. There was a freedom in that and whether or not he returned became, somewhere along the lines, was his choice. Nyka certainly wouldn’t miss him.
As hard as it was to believe, Shade’s ethics didn’t line up exactly with those of the rest of the Monks. He had an inner compass that pointed a different direction than their usual true norths. He didn’t take the women he wanted when he wanted them. He didn’t keep all the good wine for himself and his brothers. He actually passed out food intended for the citizens, rather than having his own side business accepting bribes to make sure what he passed out was done so quickly so the food was always fresh and never spoiled. There were so many things in Nyka that Shade hadn’t agreed with. And he’d been working diligently to change things. But there was only so much one man could do with a conscience in a corrupt system that fed itself on immorality and greed? He’d hoped in taking this assignment from Hadrian, he’d find a new path and maybe a new place. Now though, hearing who this woman was and whom she seemed to be beholden too, was anything going to be different?
The Monk took his time putting his things away. He liked his room. It was open, airy, and had a breeze that blew its gossamer curtains out and about. The air was fresh and green, something he wasn’t used to in Nyka. Opal, of course, let herself in and surveyed the place. “Nice.” Was her only comment. He was still trying to get used to her talking. That was unusual. She hadn’t said much of interest yet, and he somehow doubted they’d have long philosophical conversations… but it was a start.
He swung by the kitchen and unused to asking for anything, he helped himself to wine, glasses, and a plate of snacks he assembled from a strange contraption that seemed to be a large insulated wooden box that held a huge cube of ice. He had no idea where ice was acquired in the tropics, but the food inside seemed fresh and delicious. He added some pastries he found on the counter to the tray, and carried it back to the private deck where Shiress had asked to meet him. He laid the things out then headed back to his room, having forgotten a notebook and some writing materials. Shade was a fastidious note taker, and he wanted to make some entries into his journal tonight while his memory was fresh. When he returned, Shiress was there… and she began to speak on her life.
The Monk pulled out a small vial of ink, opened his journal, and dipped a quill pen into the dark liquid. He carefully began to write, recording both his thoughts and what she said.
He listened intently… curious. She had a fantastical tale to tell, for certain, but there was something in her face that made him believe her. He was a fool for it, but as she spoke, he took notes, underlining points and adding his own personal code to what he wrote that indicated to him what needed further investigation or thought. He paled slightly under his bronze skin when she started to show emotion. That wasn’t something he was used too. Crying women. He set aside his journal, laid down his quill, and leaned closer. Frowning, he glanced around and picked up one of the linen napkins he had fetched from the kitchen with the snacks. “Here…” He said quietly, offering her the square of linen.
“The first thing you need to do, Lady, is to lock up all your emotions… stuff them in a little box in your mind… and think clearly. I’m not sure how you can be a healer and consider yourself ignorant. You are a mother and responsible for Ian’s life now. The first thing you need to do is get rid of that monkey… if you think it’s a danger to him. Children shouldn’t grow up that protected. They need to experience things, including hurts and hunger and danger. If you protect him from everything, you raise a weak child. If the God of Evil and Chaos gave my child a gift, I would get rid of it.” Shade said firmly… shaking his head even wondering what she was thinking asking such a boon of a God.
“If he has a mark over his heart, its probably already to late for him.” Shade said, trying to dig up some compassion, but finding it hard. He wasn’t invested in Shiress and Ian… at least not emotionally. And if he was wise, he’d keep it that way. “It’s been my experience children rarely deserve what they are given in life. He still has a mother. That’s better than most kids have it these days. And if you sit here on this deck in this place halfway across the world from civilization crying because you screwed up… he won’t have one long.” Shade said carefully.
He didn’t want to be cruel, but he was a Monk of Nyka and each and every one of his kind were heartless bastards… or they were supposed to be. He could protect her a bit… if he wanted to keep his word to Hadrian. But he couldn’t fix flat out stupid. And so far, the things she was telling him was leading him down that road at a dead run.
“My advice? Since your asking?” He said, pausing thoughtfully. “Start using your head. Educate yourself." He growled. Then he waited for her reaction, wondering if she was going to cry harder or decide to stop being a victim.
Words: 2266
