It took a whole lot to impress Tall Johnny. He had expected the man to put up a protest at his judgement. Instead, he offered him another piece of the story before quietly accepting Tall Johnny’s judgement and quietly getting to work. Alric didn’t complain. Instead, he went about selecting his team, familiarizing himself with their workings, and talking to them in the way a leader would. However, he delegated and asked advice which left to his own devices and naturally gathered the small team he had and got them on the same boat. Tall Johnny actually physically watched Alric get the four men he selected on his side by giving them control, letting them add their opinions, and then heeding their advice while not turning the project over to any one of them.
He immediately sent a runner to his announcer with some last-minute instructions and found himself rooting for Kalas’ son. That tidbit of information had shocked him inwardly though outwardly he’d shown no signs. Everyone knew of the legend of the Mortanis that had left the Mortanis and lived. It wasn’t just about the hiding from the organization, but it was the fact that somehow, he had hidden from a Goddess who produced pain in her followers on a daily basis if they didn’t commit acts she delegated. Kalas had been built up to be immortal, with incredible pain tolerance. And he’d defied a Goddess who should have had the ability to track him anywhere bearing his marks.
It made Tall Johnny look twice at Alric. Not because he’d claimed that he stood shoulder to shoulder with Gods. Tall Johnny had a secret and that secret was that he had access to things that clued him in when people lied. Nothing Alric said was a lie. Not even the biggest bomb of all. The man stood at the railing in his private booth, not even taking a seat during the entire fight, just thinking things through. In his private booth he could survey his entire kingdom and it really made him think about how things could change in an instant. Something just walked through his back door today that he couldn’t actually put a label on and couldn’t neatly categorize or understand. And when he’d punished the man for his desire to potentially tear apart his establishment, the man had taken the judgement with grace and was following through.
The fight went as Tall Johnny thought it would. He was proud of his gladiators. They were showmen as well as incredible athletes, and Alric had selected some of the best. The desert bred men had specific ways of fighting and because of that were somewhat unadaptable in situations they weren’t comfortable in. They’d put up a hell of a fight as well when the guards had escorted them down to their own holding area. Their leader was a pompous ass. He had the arrogance of an outsider that had already judged Sunberth and found it wanting. His men knew they were in a life and death situation. Iganth’s men hadn’t realized it yet.
He suspected Alric understood the seriousness of the fight.
But what the Benshira didn’t know was that Sunberth tempered men and women. The city molded them and made them so much stronger than they would have been elsewhere. The city was as much of a mental game of survival as it was a physical game. And because of that fact, Sunberth was a stepping stone for most people unless they truly embraced the life and breath of the city and made it their slave. Tall Johnny had done that. So had many others. He knew the minute his men faced the desert men with Alric and this Iganth standing opposite, that he was looking at the winners and losers. It had little to do with skill and everything to do with mindset. His men stood beside the stranger in solidarity. Iganth stood before his men owning them. But they were disquiet. That told Tall Johnny that he might have owned their bodies but their hearts and minds weren’t in it.
James, Ballak, Hunter and Oscar did Tall Johnny proud. He made a mental note to pay them not double, but triple because the crowd was already going wild. Wild in Tall Johnny’s was a level above and beyond and the coin was flying. The owner looked over at his gamemaster who was standing on a small podium above where the bets were being placed and they caught each other’s eye. The gamemaster Trenton gave him a slight nod and his lips curved upwards slightly, indicating what Tall Johnny had suspected. This would be a record haul.
The fighters arranged themselves and before the Benshira and the fight began. Besides Tall Johnny – who had just moments ago stood in his booth alone – forms materialized out of the semi darkness at the back of it. The trio walked forward and joined Tall Johnny, ranged around them. The man glanced on either side of him, met the eyes of the only entity Alric had yet to encounter, and nodded.
“You did good.” The man said, and offered Tall Johnny a smile of approval. The other two individuals Tall Johnny hadn’t met, but he’d been around enough to know what he was dealing with. The man nodded to the bigger of the two gentlemen standing next to Tall Johnny at the front of the booth. “Vas… and Croix.” He introduced. “This is Tall Johnny.” He finished the introductions, and together the four people turned and watched the fight.
“They like their own winning. Say what you will about Sunberth, but Sunberth is loyal to Sunberth.” Croix said thoughtfully. Tall Johnny nodded, agreeing with what Croix said. The first man offered him a smile.
“But if you pit Sunberth to Sunberth, it’s the survival of the fittest. The loyalty dies quickly.” He added. The man was strange, short with a bald head and a physic that wasn’t like the two others. He was soft with jowls and a belly that was rotund. Tall Johnny showed him deference though, a lot of it, and had a respectful gleam in his eye when he spoke to the shorter man.
“He claims he’s the son of Kalas. He believes he’s speaking the truth.” Tall Johnny said to the shorter man. It was more of a question but it was as if Tall Johnny wouldn’t ask him outright. The other two watched on curiously as the first Benshira fell to one of James’ javelins. It wasn’t until Ballack took another one with his spear that Vas turned and answered Tall Johnny’s question.
“Yes, it’s a true story. The whole thing. Kalas walked away from The Mortanis and lived to pass on his bloodline. Alric is really his son.” The big man said, just as another Benshira died by a spear. “That boy has been through more than most. He’s still going through it.” James was down, then shortly thereafter Ballak fell too… not critically, but still fairly out of the match for the moment. Both had put on good showings and it wasn’t by far the worst injuries they’d sustained under Tall Johnny’s employment. Which was a good thing, because if he lost them, Tall Johnny would be pissed.
The shorter man familiar to Tall Johnny turned to the others. “It’s astonishing, isn’t it? He’s been around none of his family or his kind and yet look at the control he has over his power and how much it radiates? I can see why Sran’tuka wants him. But he’s a fool. He wants his body not his mind and that’s a mistake. I think it will cost him in the end.” The stranger said.
Tall Johnny glanced curiously at the man, then looked back at Alric as if looking with fresh eyes. “He’s a mage, isn’t he?” The man stated as Oscar and Iganth engaged and Tall Johnny’s man went staggering, getting in a last-minute hamstring strike through Iganth’s leg.
Surprisingly, it was Vas that answered. “Not exactly. Can he use his djed and is he aware of his power? Yes… its slowly waking up in him and he’s slowly beginning to use it. But he’s been incredibly slow at accepting and even welcoming it. He’s not yet defining himself as a mage, and that was at one time one of the early indicators of insanity. If he accepts it soon and fully utilizes it automatically like he say breathes… then he’ll be a mage. He needs more of a support system. Alone, mages fall prey to their own weaknesses and he has plenty of them. It’s good he found the other Nymkarta. She will be a factor in him forcing to balance himself and be the leader his entire bloodline has been bred to be. He needs more though… more people to lead, to protect, to bond too. When that happens, he will find his stability.” Vas said firmly.
Tall Johnny glanced at him, curious. “No… he’s not destined to be one of my followers. He’s too edgy to get involved with all the possibilities that could be. I think Croix wants him though. So do many others. Ultimately it will be his choice. But whomever takes him will get a boost.” Vas said thoughtfully.
Croix looked actually cross. “That’s not why I want him. I’m just going to keep tabs on him and I want to make sure he eliminates Sran’tuka because I’m not sure anyone else can at this point. We all know what happens if we let another rise to the point he’s at. Galifor was bad enough. Sran’tuka will be far worse. We need to take the lessons of the past to heart. Besides, I think Alric has more mischief in him than he likes to admit. A little bit of my moxy added in will do him a huge world of good. And you can’t tell me you both don’t want to see what he could do with your djed and the essence of your spheres. I’m no different. Humans interact in the world with such different way than we do. It’s been a long time we’ve had one to worry about and another that we are trying to groom to eliminate a problem. Besides, he reminds me a lot of Rideon. He’s one of my favorite priests. Alric is enough like him they could be brothers… though Rideon’s an Isur. That Pitrius has done more with Magecrafting than any living being today and possibly he’s better at it than most of the old Alahean Mages.” Croix said.
“I’ve been there. He runs On The Edge, doesn’t he? Out at the Southern Boarderpost in Kalea.” Vas asked, looking thoughtful. “That window was your work wasn’t it?” He said, referencing the incredibly huge window that ran the length of Rideon’s bar that changed it’s view to display incredibly fantastical views from all over Mizahar and from all time frames. It changed moment to moment and was actually very famous in Kalea. “How old is he anyhow?” Vas asked.
Croix laughed at Vas’ question. “Far older than he looks. My favorites tend not to age and die do they?” He said thoughtfully. The third man, the one that Tall Johnny knew best, laughed as well then nodded in agreement.
More action happened, and the whole place was roaring as the Sunberth natives dispatched the Benshira through good old-fashioned teamwork and a tad bit of luck. The quartet watched on even as Tall Johnny’s smile grew. “The House is making some money tonight.” Tall Johnny offered, then glanced at his gamemaster across the room and down one level. The man was openly smiling now. “Really good money in fact.” He added, a fleeting smile crossing his face as well.
Then it was over. The last Benshira fell and the guards were opening the gates and seeing to the gladiators who were being carried out by those who still could walk. They retreated back through the small tunnel that led to the prep area where there were healers and fellow fighters waiting. Croix and Vas were also there, along with Tall Johnny and someone else. The runner that had taken Tall Johnny’s messages to the announcer re-appeared with a large bag that he handed to Alric. “Do you need a healer?” The facility owner asked, even as Croix stepped up to Alric and the whole world seemed to recede back into the background. Only Croix and Vas stood there a moment. Jade was still in the corner, but he too faded back as Croix approached. He reached out and cupped a hand around Alric’s neck, stroking the back of it near his hairline.
“You did well. I will honor my word to you. It’s already done. The Mortanis will bother you no longer.” He said, and pulled his hand away. There was a mark left on the back of Alric’s neck after Croix’ touch, that of a Vildani. It was a sort of fancy slash, with a sort of spiral wrapping around it and ending in a star. It was small, only a little bigger than a thumb print, but it was still raised and the distinctive first mark of Ionu. “Take a little something of me with you.” He said to Alric. “It’s part thanks and part invitation in case you need me again. I’ll come chat with you any time, for nothing is finished yet and there is far more to come.” He added, shaking his head sadly. “Eyris’ mark might help you some, but you’ll need allies of other sorts. Let me be one of the first. My friends call me Croix, but I am formally known as Ionu. Thank you for taking out the commander. He’s just another head of a multiple headed snake, but every blow we deal to Sran’tuka is a positive step. My divine magic will help you along the way. Use it wisely.” He stated, then stepped back.
Vas did nothing, simply watched, then eventually gestured to Jade. “He might tag along with you for a while. Whether you hold his interest and his friendship will be another thing entirely. Gasvik are fickle, and I don’t hold them to my wishes. They go where they will. But they can be strong allies and even better friends. A pair guarded me for a thousand years while I slumbered in the blood of my offspring. They made sure those offspring survived and thrived so I could return one day. If you play your cards right, you can potentially earn Jade’s loyalty as well. He’s far more than he looks… stronger than men, larger than men, and more intelligent.” Vas said, then glanced at Jade who narrowed his eyes at the God. The big man laughed, walked over to the Gasvik, and gave him a hug. “Keep an eye out on him, will you? Find some common ground.” He advised, then stepped back. The Gasvik gave him an affectionate hug back, his wings wrapping around the other man momentarily. Jade wasn’t the first Gasvik he’d offered to a mortal. Whether Alric accepted or not was up to him.
Finally, Tall Johnny stepped forward. The man with him said nothing and did nothing, his interest in Alric limited. But the man dug into his pocket and pulled forth a set of golden six-sided dice. He offered them to Alric. “Mind you, these are pretty useless in a surprise attack, but once per day you may roll them to improve your luck on anything.” He added. “Roll them twice and your luck will fail you equally as bad. They should last a year or two depending on how well you safeguard them.” He added. “This is me giving you a cut of tonight’s winnings. I was going to offer you cut of the house profits, but as my companion over here suggested, these will be far more useful. Thank you for making tonight’s events lively.” Tall Johnny said sincerely. “You are welcome here anytime, Alric.” He added, then turned, smiled, and disappeared with the shorter heavier man at his side into the crowd.
Vas and Croix…no, Ionu… were already gone. Only Jade remained, lurking on the edge of his vision, watchful. Alric was free to go. There would be nothing limiting him from walking up the steps to the main Casino floor… gambling, getting a bite to eat or a drink, but he could also simply head home for the evening.
His task here was done and evidently the Gods were also done with him. Croix would stay true to his word and the Mortanis would completely forget about his existence.
Alric would find Lys standing with Jade just outside the doors of Tall Johnny, unharmed and slightly confused.
He immediately sent a runner to his announcer with some last-minute instructions and found himself rooting for Kalas’ son. That tidbit of information had shocked him inwardly though outwardly he’d shown no signs. Everyone knew of the legend of the Mortanis that had left the Mortanis and lived. It wasn’t just about the hiding from the organization, but it was the fact that somehow, he had hidden from a Goddess who produced pain in her followers on a daily basis if they didn’t commit acts she delegated. Kalas had been built up to be immortal, with incredible pain tolerance. And he’d defied a Goddess who should have had the ability to track him anywhere bearing his marks.
It made Tall Johnny look twice at Alric. Not because he’d claimed that he stood shoulder to shoulder with Gods. Tall Johnny had a secret and that secret was that he had access to things that clued him in when people lied. Nothing Alric said was a lie. Not even the biggest bomb of all. The man stood at the railing in his private booth, not even taking a seat during the entire fight, just thinking things through. In his private booth he could survey his entire kingdom and it really made him think about how things could change in an instant. Something just walked through his back door today that he couldn’t actually put a label on and couldn’t neatly categorize or understand. And when he’d punished the man for his desire to potentially tear apart his establishment, the man had taken the judgement with grace and was following through.
The fight went as Tall Johnny thought it would. He was proud of his gladiators. They were showmen as well as incredible athletes, and Alric had selected some of the best. The desert bred men had specific ways of fighting and because of that were somewhat unadaptable in situations they weren’t comfortable in. They’d put up a hell of a fight as well when the guards had escorted them down to their own holding area. Their leader was a pompous ass. He had the arrogance of an outsider that had already judged Sunberth and found it wanting. His men knew they were in a life and death situation. Iganth’s men hadn’t realized it yet.
He suspected Alric understood the seriousness of the fight.
But what the Benshira didn’t know was that Sunberth tempered men and women. The city molded them and made them so much stronger than they would have been elsewhere. The city was as much of a mental game of survival as it was a physical game. And because of that fact, Sunberth was a stepping stone for most people unless they truly embraced the life and breath of the city and made it their slave. Tall Johnny had done that. So had many others. He knew the minute his men faced the desert men with Alric and this Iganth standing opposite, that he was looking at the winners and losers. It had little to do with skill and everything to do with mindset. His men stood beside the stranger in solidarity. Iganth stood before his men owning them. But they were disquiet. That told Tall Johnny that he might have owned their bodies but their hearts and minds weren’t in it.
James, Ballak, Hunter and Oscar did Tall Johnny proud. He made a mental note to pay them not double, but triple because the crowd was already going wild. Wild in Tall Johnny’s was a level above and beyond and the coin was flying. The owner looked over at his gamemaster who was standing on a small podium above where the bets were being placed and they caught each other’s eye. The gamemaster Trenton gave him a slight nod and his lips curved upwards slightly, indicating what Tall Johnny had suspected. This would be a record haul.
The fighters arranged themselves and before the Benshira and the fight began. Besides Tall Johnny – who had just moments ago stood in his booth alone – forms materialized out of the semi darkness at the back of it. The trio walked forward and joined Tall Johnny, ranged around them. The man glanced on either side of him, met the eyes of the only entity Alric had yet to encounter, and nodded.
“You did good.” The man said, and offered Tall Johnny a smile of approval. The other two individuals Tall Johnny hadn’t met, but he’d been around enough to know what he was dealing with. The man nodded to the bigger of the two gentlemen standing next to Tall Johnny at the front of the booth. “Vas… and Croix.” He introduced. “This is Tall Johnny.” He finished the introductions, and together the four people turned and watched the fight.
“They like their own winning. Say what you will about Sunberth, but Sunberth is loyal to Sunberth.” Croix said thoughtfully. Tall Johnny nodded, agreeing with what Croix said. The first man offered him a smile.
“But if you pit Sunberth to Sunberth, it’s the survival of the fittest. The loyalty dies quickly.” He added. The man was strange, short with a bald head and a physic that wasn’t like the two others. He was soft with jowls and a belly that was rotund. Tall Johnny showed him deference though, a lot of it, and had a respectful gleam in his eye when he spoke to the shorter man.
“He claims he’s the son of Kalas. He believes he’s speaking the truth.” Tall Johnny said to the shorter man. It was more of a question but it was as if Tall Johnny wouldn’t ask him outright. The other two watched on curiously as the first Benshira fell to one of James’ javelins. It wasn’t until Ballack took another one with his spear that Vas turned and answered Tall Johnny’s question.
“Yes, it’s a true story. The whole thing. Kalas walked away from The Mortanis and lived to pass on his bloodline. Alric is really his son.” The big man said, just as another Benshira died by a spear. “That boy has been through more than most. He’s still going through it.” James was down, then shortly thereafter Ballak fell too… not critically, but still fairly out of the match for the moment. Both had put on good showings and it wasn’t by far the worst injuries they’d sustained under Tall Johnny’s employment. Which was a good thing, because if he lost them, Tall Johnny would be pissed.
The shorter man familiar to Tall Johnny turned to the others. “It’s astonishing, isn’t it? He’s been around none of his family or his kind and yet look at the control he has over his power and how much it radiates? I can see why Sran’tuka wants him. But he’s a fool. He wants his body not his mind and that’s a mistake. I think it will cost him in the end.” The stranger said.
Tall Johnny glanced curiously at the man, then looked back at Alric as if looking with fresh eyes. “He’s a mage, isn’t he?” The man stated as Oscar and Iganth engaged and Tall Johnny’s man went staggering, getting in a last-minute hamstring strike through Iganth’s leg.
Surprisingly, it was Vas that answered. “Not exactly. Can he use his djed and is he aware of his power? Yes… its slowly waking up in him and he’s slowly beginning to use it. But he’s been incredibly slow at accepting and even welcoming it. He’s not yet defining himself as a mage, and that was at one time one of the early indicators of insanity. If he accepts it soon and fully utilizes it automatically like he say breathes… then he’ll be a mage. He needs more of a support system. Alone, mages fall prey to their own weaknesses and he has plenty of them. It’s good he found the other Nymkarta. She will be a factor in him forcing to balance himself and be the leader his entire bloodline has been bred to be. He needs more though… more people to lead, to protect, to bond too. When that happens, he will find his stability.” Vas said firmly.
Tall Johnny glanced at him, curious. “No… he’s not destined to be one of my followers. He’s too edgy to get involved with all the possibilities that could be. I think Croix wants him though. So do many others. Ultimately it will be his choice. But whomever takes him will get a boost.” Vas said thoughtfully.
Croix looked actually cross. “That’s not why I want him. I’m just going to keep tabs on him and I want to make sure he eliminates Sran’tuka because I’m not sure anyone else can at this point. We all know what happens if we let another rise to the point he’s at. Galifor was bad enough. Sran’tuka will be far worse. We need to take the lessons of the past to heart. Besides, I think Alric has more mischief in him than he likes to admit. A little bit of my moxy added in will do him a huge world of good. And you can’t tell me you both don’t want to see what he could do with your djed and the essence of your spheres. I’m no different. Humans interact in the world with such different way than we do. It’s been a long time we’ve had one to worry about and another that we are trying to groom to eliminate a problem. Besides, he reminds me a lot of Rideon. He’s one of my favorite priests. Alric is enough like him they could be brothers… though Rideon’s an Isur. That Pitrius has done more with Magecrafting than any living being today and possibly he’s better at it than most of the old Alahean Mages.” Croix said.
“I’ve been there. He runs On The Edge, doesn’t he? Out at the Southern Boarderpost in Kalea.” Vas asked, looking thoughtful. “That window was your work wasn’t it?” He said, referencing the incredibly huge window that ran the length of Rideon’s bar that changed it’s view to display incredibly fantastical views from all over Mizahar and from all time frames. It changed moment to moment and was actually very famous in Kalea. “How old is he anyhow?” Vas asked.
Croix laughed at Vas’ question. “Far older than he looks. My favorites tend not to age and die do they?” He said thoughtfully. The third man, the one that Tall Johnny knew best, laughed as well then nodded in agreement.
More action happened, and the whole place was roaring as the Sunberth natives dispatched the Benshira through good old-fashioned teamwork and a tad bit of luck. The quartet watched on even as Tall Johnny’s smile grew. “The House is making some money tonight.” Tall Johnny offered, then glanced at his gamemaster across the room and down one level. The man was openly smiling now. “Really good money in fact.” He added, a fleeting smile crossing his face as well.
Then it was over. The last Benshira fell and the guards were opening the gates and seeing to the gladiators who were being carried out by those who still could walk. They retreated back through the small tunnel that led to the prep area where there were healers and fellow fighters waiting. Croix and Vas were also there, along with Tall Johnny and someone else. The runner that had taken Tall Johnny’s messages to the announcer re-appeared with a large bag that he handed to Alric. “Do you need a healer?” The facility owner asked, even as Croix stepped up to Alric and the whole world seemed to recede back into the background. Only Croix and Vas stood there a moment. Jade was still in the corner, but he too faded back as Croix approached. He reached out and cupped a hand around Alric’s neck, stroking the back of it near his hairline.
“You did well. I will honor my word to you. It’s already done. The Mortanis will bother you no longer.” He said, and pulled his hand away. There was a mark left on the back of Alric’s neck after Croix’ touch, that of a Vildani. It was a sort of fancy slash, with a sort of spiral wrapping around it and ending in a star. It was small, only a little bigger than a thumb print, but it was still raised and the distinctive first mark of Ionu. “Take a little something of me with you.” He said to Alric. “It’s part thanks and part invitation in case you need me again. I’ll come chat with you any time, for nothing is finished yet and there is far more to come.” He added, shaking his head sadly. “Eyris’ mark might help you some, but you’ll need allies of other sorts. Let me be one of the first. My friends call me Croix, but I am formally known as Ionu. Thank you for taking out the commander. He’s just another head of a multiple headed snake, but every blow we deal to Sran’tuka is a positive step. My divine magic will help you along the way. Use it wisely.” He stated, then stepped back.
Vas did nothing, simply watched, then eventually gestured to Jade. “He might tag along with you for a while. Whether you hold his interest and his friendship will be another thing entirely. Gasvik are fickle, and I don’t hold them to my wishes. They go where they will. But they can be strong allies and even better friends. A pair guarded me for a thousand years while I slumbered in the blood of my offspring. They made sure those offspring survived and thrived so I could return one day. If you play your cards right, you can potentially earn Jade’s loyalty as well. He’s far more than he looks… stronger than men, larger than men, and more intelligent.” Vas said, then glanced at Jade who narrowed his eyes at the God. The big man laughed, walked over to the Gasvik, and gave him a hug. “Keep an eye out on him, will you? Find some common ground.” He advised, then stepped back. The Gasvik gave him an affectionate hug back, his wings wrapping around the other man momentarily. Jade wasn’t the first Gasvik he’d offered to a mortal. Whether Alric accepted or not was up to him.
Finally, Tall Johnny stepped forward. The man with him said nothing and did nothing, his interest in Alric limited. But the man dug into his pocket and pulled forth a set of golden six-sided dice. He offered them to Alric. “Mind you, these are pretty useless in a surprise attack, but once per day you may roll them to improve your luck on anything.” He added. “Roll them twice and your luck will fail you equally as bad. They should last a year or two depending on how well you safeguard them.” He added. “This is me giving you a cut of tonight’s winnings. I was going to offer you cut of the house profits, but as my companion over here suggested, these will be far more useful. Thank you for making tonight’s events lively.” Tall Johnny said sincerely. “You are welcome here anytime, Alric.” He added, then turned, smiled, and disappeared with the shorter heavier man at his side into the crowd.
Vas and Croix…no, Ionu… were already gone. Only Jade remained, lurking on the edge of his vision, watchful. Alric was free to go. There would be nothing limiting him from walking up the steps to the main Casino floor… gambling, getting a bite to eat or a drink, but he could also simply head home for the evening.
His task here was done and evidently the Gods were also done with him. Croix would stay true to his word and the Mortanis would completely forget about his existence.
Alric would find Lys standing with Jade just outside the doors of Tall Johnny, unharmed and slightly confused.
OOC :
