Squatters in the Tower(Private)

[Baku]

Ojji slowly pulled back on the reigns slowly, giving a slow hushing sounds when the Nightstalkers gave a gruff exhale, wanting to move a little bit further. His gaze slowly turned to Kavala as she began to explain her concerns over the fact that Ojji was working for someone else. His gaze the slowly moved over towards Akela, listening to her addition to the additional comments she had to give. Ojji gave a silent nod after they had finished, looking strait out towards the open grasslands they had been approaching. “Well, I can certainly understand your reservations.” Ojji said as his hands came together as he looked back to Kavala. “While it may not be enough to suit your needs, I can assure you that the work to be done is not for nefarious purposes. The tower itself is old, but very important.” Ojji then gave a slow exhale, looking down as if he were trying think of what to say to put their minds at ease, but at the same time there was only so much he could reveal. “My benefactor is likely to meet us along the way as she likes to speak with those who undertake even the smallest tasks.” Ojji then continued. “I wish I could tell you more, but at the same time, I can no betray the confidentiality of who she is. Knowing who she is puts you at a certain higher level of risk. More so than working with me.” There was a long silence then as Ojji finally leaned back in his seat. His hands rested along his lap for a moment as he looked back and forth between Akela and Kavala. “Only one other thing I can say about the true ending goal of the task I, we, undertake. Such may be saying too much in itself.” Ojji said before holding out an open palm. “After, if you are of still of mind that you still do not wish to undertake this task, I’ll understand, and will completely respect your wishes.” “This tower,” Ojji said as a soft golden glow began to form in the palm of his hand, forming a sphere which floated inches above his hand, “is one of many that will be a symbol of hope.”

[Kavala]

Kavala stood thinking a long time. Her eyes stared forward, then strayed to Ojji's for a brief time, them over to Aklela's. She wasn't one to act quickly, but she was angry suddenly. Her anger wasn't an abrupt irrational rage but rather a slow sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Nothing was clear cut anymore. Nothing was as innocent as it seemed. Kavala had faced dangers out on the Sea of Grass she didn't care to face any more. And while those were bad enough, she was sure there were other things that were new enough but worse... far worse.

When she did speak, it wasn't to mount up her loaded down horse, nor was it to comply and join with Ojji. Instead in a soft but convicted voice, she let him know what was in her head. "Listen, I really like you Sir, but I have been burned too many times by unknown patrons. The benefactor knows who I am, and I don't know who they are? That actually puts me in more risk, so I am sorry but I can't go without that knowledge. No hard feelings, but the risk that they could hurt me or my own without me being ready is too great. I won't put Akela or myself nor anyone else here in that sort of danger." Kavala said. She looked pained to say it, but she'd definitely made up her mind.

"Either we know and meet them or we part our ways and you find someone else. There is too much here at stake for us." Kavala said firmly, locking her heels and digging in. Akela knew the look on her face, the one that meant she'd made up her mind and nothing would change it other than the terms she'd laid out. It was a Denusk Pavilion trait for sure, born and bred on the Grasslands with the fierce blood of the Drykas.

[Akela]

Akela sighed inwardly as Ojji only committed to a partial answer. That wouldn't do with Kavala. If Akela was the sky, the irresistible force both whimsical and fleeting, Kavala was the solid earth underneath their feet, the unmoveable object that would not steer from her convictions. Ojji could go on all day and night, nothing short of a name and description would appease her sister.

In fact, so absolutely immersed was Kavala in her decision that she didn't even take notice of Ojji's display of magic. Akela could only surmise that the glow he emitted from his palm had nothing to do with Glyphing. There had been no ink or pretty pictures involved. She tilted her head. She'd never seen that kind of magic before. Not that she liked magic, mind you, but she'd seen a few types before.

"Gnosis?" she interrupted, breaking the silence after Kavala spoke. "If so might your benefactor not be a mortal? A goddess?" She frowned slightly. Whenever the gods got themselves involved, you knew trouble was in the making. Take Nikali, for instance. She'd given Akela the power to survive her enslavement, and then she'd never shown up again, but the Konti was firmly convinced it was only a matter of time. The gods, they were watching. Always watching, and making calls. 'I move Kavala to d4, checkmate! Akela to e5, I kill your guy here!'

"If that's the case, and the stakes are that high, it should be simple enough. If she can hear us then she can show up now and settle this thing easily. Or she can stay hidden and let us know through her absence that the deal is off, no?" She nodded to herself, quite proud of her reasoning. She liked it simple, mostly because she could not do it any other way.

[Baku]

Ojji listend to both of the women, his gaze floating up towards the sky as his hand closed and the glow faded away. While his gaze wasn’t fixed on either one of them, they could tell he was listening to their every word intently. When both had fallen silent after speaking their thoughts, Ojji lowered his head, looking down to the reigns as he slid his thumbs over the smooth surface of the leather. “I understand. It is a lot to ask of anyone to place faith and trust so easily. Especially in a world such as this, where trust is so easily abused and taken for granted.” Ojji finally said as he slowly looked back and forth between the Konti sisters. “It is one of the things we are attempting to improve on in this world. Still, if I were to reveal such, even to acquire your help, that would betray a trust that was placed in me.” Ojji slowly looked over at Akela then, as the grip over his reigns slightly. “Whether my benefactor is mortal or otherwise is not for me to openly reveal,” Ojji then said before looking back down with a hint of regret on his face, giving a squeeze to the reigns. “I regret that you will not be accompanying me, but I will respect your decision. My your futures shine bright with hope.” Ojji then gave a couple of clicks with his tongue looking forward once again. The horse gave a gruff exhale remaining still as a confused look crossed Ojji’s face. He tilted his head slightly, trying to look around the large Nightstalkers for a brief moment. “I thank you for your words Ojji,” a new voice then suddenly echoed out from in front of the horses, “but the young women are correct.” Stepping out from in front of the horses then stood a woman, she looked almost human, with sad yet strong eyes, a beautiful face and a long black hair. She stood tall, firm and proud, yet a weight seemed to be present in every step she took. A long brown cape rested over her shoulders, giving only a slight hint over the small, slender frame. Beneath that cape, however, rested brilliant white robes. A white so brilliant that it almost seemed to glow from the brief glimpses that both Kavala and Akela gained with each step the woman took. “Trust can not be earned when secrets are kept.” the woman then said, her voice calm, yet carrying a hint of sadness to it. “They deserve to know it all, especially considering the importance of the quest.” “My lady,” Ojji then said as he gave a bow of his head, “I apologize for the necessity of you appearing so soon in the journey.” “It is quite all right Ojji,” the woman said, stepping alongside the Nightstalkers as her hand stroked gently along their side, “you never were much one for holding back the truth when it came to those who are good natured.” The woman then gazed slowly upward towards both Kavala and Akela, falling silent for a moment. “I apologize for not coming to any of you directly. I do not much like asking others favors. Fact is it took me nearly an entire season just to ask Ojji of the task he will be undertaking when the animals within are evicted.” The woman continued, her hands clasping together in front of her. “I had hoped to speak with you on different occasions during your journey, get to know you both over the small period of time you spent traveling. The dangers of me traveling with you all would be to great to both of you should I journey with you the entire span of your trip, however.” “But I digress from the information you desired.” the woman then said, stepping a little closer to both of them. “You wished to know of me. That much can be answered quite simply, as the Konti Sword Maiden pointed out, but I shall provide more.” “The tower you all travel to is old, dating to before the Valterian. During that time they bright and magnificent. They provided a means of travel to many. The towers themselves were the charges of both me and my love, and we had very little concern for the others of our kind, only the company of each other and helping those in need.” The woman began to explain as she slowly looked towards the direction they were traveling for a moment. “Then one of our own unleashed a fury over the loss of one he loved, and the world was torn asunder. My love fell in the chaos that ensued, weakened by his efforts during, his heart taken by an insane, but opportunistic wizard.” The woman then paused for a long moment, looking between Kavala and Akela during that time. “But he will one day have his heart returned to him. When that time comes, our towers should be repaired and ready for him.” the woman finally, said, that glimmer of sure hope shining in her eyes past the sadness. “My name is Priskil, and I ask you, will you help my priest Ojji? Please?”

[Kavala]

Akela was right. Kavala was so lost in herself, in her own thoughts and the terrifying world of 'what if' that she hadn't seen the glowing orb. The Konti healer wouldn't have known what it meant anyhow though, for there were some gods she was well versed in and some she had no clue about.

Priskil was one of them.

Manifesting before them, asking for their aid, Kavala only knew the tragic stories behind Priskil's loss and her subsequent sorrow. It was no wonder that in her eyes were deep wounds. Kavala looked openly, unafraid due to the extremely warm bright presence the woman had. Her voice, her actions, even what she said to them both changed things. Kavala nodded, needing nothing more than to know who they were working for in order to agree to help.

She swung up on Windsong and glanced down at Kamsin. The remount was loaded with extra gear, both hers and Akelas. She would have put it in Ojji's wagon, but she trusted the striders more than the six nightwalkers with the old man. A third strider, a molten gold with flaxen mane and tail, named Spitfire was all ready for Akela to ride.

"I am sorry for your loss, My Lady, and pray that one day what truly belongs to you will be restored. We will help you, of course, and I am again regretful that I pressed the issue and forced your hand. Had I known or even suspected, I would have done no such thing as it is not our place to be so bold. Thank you for your revelations regardless. Of course we will help." She added, glancing at Ojji and offering him the same apologetic smile she did to Priskil. Kavala knew she placed him in an odd position and hadn't wanted that. But it was no small thing to make up for by action rather than word, and she attempted to do just that.

"I'm ready when everyone else is."

[Akela]

Men had never been too good at lying. Old men who were too kind for their own good, even less so. By the time Ojji put up a token denial in front of her, Akela knew she had hit bullseye with her prediction. One didn't need Konti empathy when simple common sense would suffice. And indeed, within seconds, the goddess made herself known. She walked in light and seemed too pure for this world, though Akela found Priskil's appearance somewhat unsettling despite her modesty. Here was someone who should not have been able to exist in this dirty world. Rhysol would not have seemed so out of place. She kept her distance. Ranuri seemed to clash a bit with her presence.

She did not speak before Kavala did, but gave a thin grin when she did. Now they were reasoning again. The girl mounted atop Spitfire, wasting no time following her sister's decision. "Goddess, I am my sister's shadow. Her thought is my command. I can assure you this task will be accomplished because that is her wish." Akela thought her eyes were sparkling with excitement as Kavala's resolution washed over her. She twisted it in her own special way, of course, fantasizing about all the hordes of vicious beasts she would be slaying. And at the end of the day, she would be resting on top of a pile of dead animals as high as the Tower itself!

Something like that.

The impasse now solved, Akela simply waited for Kavala to get ready to resume their journey. The specific goddess behind the request was unimportant if Kavala had made up her mind. Akela had no other allegiances to speak of, and when her sister was involved she didn't need any. Had Kavala told her to assassinate Ojji, she would have gone after him with no hesitation whatsoever. Maybe she'd break her oath and leave Sanctuary afterwards, but she would do it. This was how loyal Akela had become. It was almost ridiculous.

"Everyone else was ready half a bell ago, sister. You are getting slow… fat and slow." She grinned at Kavala. Even Ranuri could not deprive her of the ability to tease her, and this particular payback was especially good. She waved at Priskil and started Spitfire into action.

[Baku]

A genuine smile spread across Priskil’s lips holding up her hand as Kavala apologized. “You need not explain yourself child.” Priskil said, her hand lowering as they clasped one another. “As Ojji explained, the land is harsh, and trust is not an easy thing to hand out so easily. Please though, act as casually with me as you would anyone else. For I do not seek out worshipers, only companions and friends in these dark times. If anything, I apologize to you and your sister. Considering the risks that may potentially present themselves, you both deserved to know what you would ultimately be taking those risks for. I am thankful that you are both still willing after having learned of them.” A slow nod of gratitude was given to Akela then as she spoke. “Sometimes, Akela, I feel your actions are not in need of much swaying by Nikali’s mark as you may suspect, but all the same I thank you.” Priskil said as she slowly stepped next to Ojji. “I regret that I will not be able to travel beside you all however. I have other matters to attend to, but I shall revisit you all during your travels when I can.” Soon Priskil’s hand reached up, resting along Ojji’s arm for a brief moment. “Please do use caution Ojji, there are movements of others rather than animal and beast out there.” Priskil then warned, lightly squeezing over the fabric of Ojji’s sleeve as a mother would her child. “Protect them and yourself, and if it becomes to dangerous, abandon the tower for the time being.” “All will be well my Lady,” Ojji then said, resting his hand along top of Priskil’s for a moment. “The Watchtowers will be rebuilt.” Priskil then simply gave a nod, stepping back as she moved out of the path of travel for them. A single hand was raised, giving them a parting wave. “You do works of good, but ensure your safety first and foremost in your works.” Priskil finally said. Ojji then finally gave a departing nod to Priskil, looking once to both Kavala and Akela before a clicking of his tongue sent his Nightwalkers moving forward once again. “I once again apologize for withholding the full truth from you young ladies.” Ojji said leaning forward as his gaze dropped for a moment. “In the end, the full impact of what we are doing here tends to be too much for some to handle. Due to what Priskil stands for and the work the Order of Radiance does, there are elements and individuals in this world that ultimately stand against us. Who do not wish to see these things done. Who want the world and lands to continue to spiral downward and plunge it into darkness and chaos. To be as hopeless as the times of the Valterrian itself. I am happy that you two are not intimidated enough to decline this work by such thoughts.” Ojji then fell silent again for a long moment as the three of them began riding out into the grasslands, the city of Riverfall growing a little more distant with each step the mounts took. “Well then, shall we officially begin our journey with a song? I find it tends to set a jovial mood for travel itself.” Ojji then suggested as he began to clear his throat. What then came out of Ojji’s mouth next could only be considered tragedy as his voice echoed out in the Beneshira language in a series of cries and whales. It could have sounded like metals scraping along metals, but most would have described it as though cats were being strangled while mating under the full light of Leth’s presence during the night.

[Kavala]

Kavala offered Akela a smile. "Fat and slow is all I've got. I'll take it any day over young, sassy, and irresistible." She said, even though Akela was indeed the older of the two of them. She clucked her aging stallion forward and rode alongside Ojji while he drove the wagon of Nightwalkers. She studied his team, watching how they interacted, far more interested in the horses now that the Goddess had left them. The truth as Priskil made her nervous. She might be the bringer of light, but she'd failed to protect her mate once upon a time and that failure had caused her lover to loose his existence and another God to be born. Now it was said she was tied to a thing trapped between living and dead and the whole of the world quested to help her.

If given a choice, Kavala would help the Goddess of course, but she still wouldn't trust her. People in pain did odd things, unusual things, and acted in ways that weren't normal. How could she not still be in pain after what happened to her husband? Look what Ivak had done to the world? Would Priskil react if threatened or someone got in her way? Kavala didn't know. What she did know, however, was that the Gods were touchy and fickle and sometimes wholly untrustworthy. All, that was, besides Rak'keli.

So she rode along in silence, cringing only slightly when Ojji broke into song. When he finished, she'd sing as well, an old Drykas tune in Pavi. It was a song of travel and of taking down the pavilions and moving them to a new location and how much promise that new location had for the people. She sang it proudly and as she rode, even Windsong seemed to settle within himself. Kavala knew instead of singing she should be asking questions, but really she had none. Not yet at least, not until they were closer.

[Raiha]

OOCSlipping back in, if it's okay! If it's not, give me a shout and I'll stay out this time. So sorry for being absent. -_-

Raiha finished tacking up Yakini, and led her mare out of the stables towards Kavala, mounting up and following the Konti sisters. The saddlebags on the Firemane were stuffed full with everything the Akontak could think to bring, short of the kitchen basin and her goshawk. But they certainly wouldn't go hungry or run out of bandages or herbs or water. The shadows danced, and her eyes flicked to them and back again, hearing mixed accounts in Makath about what had transpired, but hearing faint admiration on all counts for it. Priskil had her own lightness that the shadows seemed to like - it was something Raiha aspired to, to be the one thing that the shadows could never truly have. But this was a tower of secrets, it seemed, and Raiha's curiosity was piqued. It was part of being a night stalker - watching, listening, and bartering in secrets and things unsaid and unknown.

She glanced at Ojji when he began to sing, but worried not one way or another about it. Granted, it was more noise and ruckus than anything else, though Kanikra disapproved of singing and noise on the whole while they rode. Announce it to everyone, Kanikra sighed. Zith, glassbeaks, packs of wild dogs, packs of renegades, slavers... I don't care that it's still light out. I suggest Auristics, Raiha, if only to keep an eye out on things. Yakini will follow the other horses... and we can never be too careful. Raiha let herself relax in the saddle - if something happened and the mare started to gallop, Raiha wasn't staying on bareback or even with a yvas. Though in truth, she wasn't certain she'd be staying on regardless. The most capable rider, she was not. But still, she relaxed into the movement of the leggy Firemane's walk, and truly opened her eyes and ears to the auras around them. While she was riding, she was definitely just along for the ride. Her focus was elsewhere.

if anything, it might scare some of them off. That was probably what he was aiming at. Raiha watched the grasses and the sky with her Auristics, mindful of the sun. That was dangerous, as well she knew, but it was simply a matter of being careful. And dancing along under Yakini were the ever present shadows. That was a distraction in itself, but Raiha had spent most of her life listening to voices, though now there were far more than usual. Before meeting Akajia, it had simply been the two of them. Now, there were far more. Still, though, she fell into her usual rhythm - watching, observing, watching the way the wind moved the grasses, watched the auras that lurked between for anything different, any hint, of something going on. She sometimes wished she could turn her head like a bird, but as it was, all she could do was content herself with looking over her shoulders and watching what she could see. She couldn't understand what Kavala was singing, but it sounded interesting all the same.

[Baku]

It wouldn’t be long before the first day of travel would be over. As Syna’s light began to creep down towards the horizon, Ojji stopped his wagon, gradually bringing himself to the ground, soft grunts and quick breaths escaping his lips as he with each movement he made as his age and a long days travel began to show. Short of a snake in the grass spooking the horses, the first days travel had gone on without a problem for the group, with the only annoyance being that of Ojji’s singing. It took him a fair amount of time to free his Nightwalkers from their cart, allowing them to roam free as they may. “Well, we need a place to sleep I suppose.” Ojji said as he stepped forward towards an open area of where they stopped. He slowly reached into a pocket on his sleeve, pulling out a stack of parchments. He began to slowly flip through them, using the remaining light to read the runes that marked each one, repeatedly mumbling the word “no” before finally having his eyes widen for a moment and a smirk cross his features. “Ah, here it is.” Ojji then said before pulling out a single scroll, slipping the rest back into his sleeve pocket. “Please keep at least twelve feet clear of me.” Ojji then slowly knelt down, slipping the parchment along the ground as he held it in place with his pointer and index finger in a moment of silence. Finally, he uttered the words, “Home, home on the range.” before the runes along the parchment began to glow. Rez then slowly began to pour out of it, seeping into the ground as Ojji gave a quick giggle of excitement before running at least fifteen feet away from where the parchment rested. The tall grasses in a twenty-four square foot area suddenly began to smolder, burning away in embers and ash, but not erupting into flame as there was a small rumbling heard and the faintest quake in the ground where everyone stood. Soon, the ground cracked open in a twelve by twelve foot square surrounding the scroll, and glowing, melted rock began to pool upward from the open earth, cooling almost as quickly as it had formed, making solid stone as it continued to rise. Eventually, ten foot high walls could be seen forming in front of them, all of them solid, and three inches thick, save for an open doorway in front of them and three small opened holes at the center of each of the other walls. Finally, the molten rock began to form overhead, moving to enclose the simple box shelter of rock, stopping just short as a small, three foot wide hole was left open at the center so that smoke for a camp fire could escape. Finally, Ojji gave a soft smile and satisfied exhale of breath. “It isn’t exactly a mansion overlooking an ocean view, but it does allow for a slight luxury in the wilds." Ojji then began to move his things into the stone shelter, piling his stuff into a nearby corner. The ground, despite what had happen to the grass, was clear of any ash, but that wasn’t to say that it was clean as simple bare earth made up the floor, save for a the center, where a stone line pit for a fire rested. “If one of you ladies would be so kind, there is some firewood and kindling strapped to the top of my cart.” Ojji requested politely, looking more towards Raiha and Akela than Kavala. Finally, Ojji sat down in front of the fire pit, placing several books out on front of them. Three of them were written texts on Glyphing alone, some others on various forms of magic that are known in the world, and a final one, seemed to be a writing journal, the cover bearing the title: “An Old Man’s Journey in the World of Glyphing.” “I am afraid I am unfamiliar with what you three do during such times of dinner or before rest.” Ojji then said, smiling to them all. “Might you have suggestions of ways to pass a little time before sleep?”