Eren 3-9, 653 DR: Life inside Kyrm Or’Amra. The tailor, barber and baths of Taldàna. Jak receives a dire threat from a glowing red wolf. Words with the High Priestess. A plan is formed and a long journey planned. Tressta and Zildara find Ērēus and bring him to the city. The Heartguard submits to a terrible burden. Five nights of opera. Farewell to Ezíkus and Saldus. The airship leaves for Oð.

Continued from Voyage of the Widower.

Malídor, 3 Eren 653

After months of sleeping on mountain slopes, tavern cots, and ship hammocks, it felt good to sleep in a real bed. Even Jak and Saldus, who had enjoyed the modest comforts of Kzar Boron awakened rested and ready to face whatever was next. The hospitality of the High Priestess did not end there however. In time they were escorted through the painted halls of Kyrm Or’Amra until they arrived at an open courtyard, fragrant with exotic flowers. A patio of tables were arranged around a central fountain where bronze caryatids looked skyward, their hands clasped to their chests. Here, guests of the Temple were brought a wide-ranging breakfast, with more food and wine than they could possibly eat. Following breakfast an attendant announced that they had been invited to attend a formal performance in the coming days.

Following breakfast, the group wandered into the City of Taldàna where Tressta helped each of them to purchase appropriate clothes for the upcoming opera. Jak was fitted for clothes fitting a Ðard, and was then shown to a barber where his hair was cut and beard trimmed. Tressta and Zildara were fitted for fine gowns. During the course of the day, Tressta and Zildara stopped in to see Jak’s reluctant transformation into a gentleman. During one of these visits he mentioned that he missed Cænden, and wanted to visit Dadra again. His fitters rolled their eyes, and the women left for the baths, and to visit stores on a street they’d passed earlier. During all of this fuss, Dammon explored the streets of Taldàna on his own. Elsewhere in the city, Tressta sold an Æzàlar rug to supplement their monies.

After a long and wearying day of fittings and far too much attention, Jak headed back toward Kyrm Or’Amra. As the evening cast long shadows across the city streets, Jak noticed a red shape standing in a nearby alley. Approaching to get a better look, he saw the luminous red shape of a wolf glaring at him from the deep shadows. “I need your assistance,” said the wolf. Jak recognized the voice and the creature as Dammon’s Conscience, it having assumed this form once before north of Kryr Shùrulm. “You will escort Dammon to Lanàdus and stop all talk of returning to Oð. If you do not do as I say, your wife and child will be killed. We already have them.” Jak trembled with rage at the evil thing’s words. He wanted to gut the monster but had no way of telling how much of its words were true. “You will do this?” the thing asked him. Jak agreed. “Dammon must not know of this conversation. He must never suspect. Make sure he gets there, or you will never see your family again.” With that, the wolf faded away and Jakwas left alone in the alley, feeling more helpless than he could ever remember.

Dinner that night was served in an old observatory upon the Albùmor. The domed ceiling had long ago collapsed, and the fallen blocks arranged into a vined garden. High atop some stacked blocks, a small group of musicians played gentle music that seemed to filter down from the sunset clouds above. Though the dinner was delicious, Jak could find no appetite. After dinner, Jak sold a small Amran statue and asked a priestess if there was a seer within the Temple. The priestess did not know, but said that she would ask around. The busy day behind them, the group retired to their rooms for another peaceful night.

Amdor, 4 Eren 653

The next morning a priestess visited Jak in his chambers. Jak told her about the wolf’s threat of the previous day. Sensing he was not telling the whole truth, the priestess assured him that his words would not leave the Temple and that he was safe in this sanctuary from evil. Jak relented, and explained the nature of his companion’s familiar, as much as he understood it. The priestess listened carefully and made a number of suggestions, none of which would assuage the Jak’s sense that his family was imperiled. Finally, the priestess offered to arrange a meeting between Jak and the High Priestess. Before she stood to leave, Jak implored that the discussion remain completely secret. The priestess smiled and said that it would be so, adding “There are few more discreet.”

After breakfast, Jak was summoned to a remote area of the Temple. He waited in an empty hall for some time before the regal High Priestess entered from a rear door. As she walked toward Jak the Oðan bowed, thanking her for the meeting. She did not look pleased. He then proceeded to repeat what he’d told the priestess earlier in the morning. The High Priestess listened to all he had to say and followed his statements with many questions. When she learned all she could on the matter, she asked him “What price are you willing to pay to fight this evil?” Jak couldn’t answer. “You will need to make a decision, or the chance will be taken from you.” Jak explained that he didn’t want to make a decision without consulting his companions. The High Priestess assented, summoning an attendant from somewhere nearby. “Arrange a meeting,” she told the man. “All Ambassadors of the Iron Crown, including the magician. We will meet this afternoon and put all of this devilry to rest.” Jak thanked her, and returned to his chamber.

That afternoon, the group assembled in an old waiting room. A collection of ancient couches and chairs lined the walls between elaborate tapestries whose subject matter had faded beyond recognition centuries ago. Attendants lit a number of incense candles and hurried out of the room before the High Priestess arrived. Dammon watched his companions suspiciously. He did not know why they had been given a second audience with the High Lady, and was trying to guess what the others were keeping from him. Elésea did not waste time. Looking at Dammon she began, “We are assembled here to learn how we can help you.” The magician glanced at each of his companions, wondering which of his “friends” had betrayed him. “Have you been contacted in this Temple,” she asked. Dammon was furious. It was impossible to know how much the High Lady knew. “No,” he answered finally. “It doesn’t come here.” His friends stirred uneasily. “Do you want help,” the High Priestess asked. The magician had no ready answers. He hadn’t been prepared for an intervention and wasn’t sure an Amrite priestess would be able to help. Seeing his discomfiture, the High Priestess took a moment to repeat Jak’s story about the wolf’s threat. “Does your familiar have the power to do this?” she asked. Dammon leveled a glare at the spear-man. He had guessed correctly. As to the High Priestess’s question, he had no idea. It was possible, he figured, so he answered “Yes”. “Does your familiar have influence in Oð?” The magician interrupted the questioning by asking that the have a private audience with the High Priestess. She agreed to this and the others departed.

Once they were alone, Elésea asked why the familiar wanted to reach Lanàdus but Dammon didn’t know. The magician spent the next watch explaining all that he knew of his situation, including mention of his meeting with Eryvek in Boronon. During the conversation, attendants were summoned to fetch the magician’s books. When he was finished, he indulged the High Priestess’ curiosity, by allowing her to cast an Orádra upon him. The High Priestess looked long and hard at the wards that bound the magician’s mind and soul. As others before her, Elésea was also impressed by the wards. Undeterred, she delved deeper. Suddenly, she stopped and withdrew. “Layers upon layers, how interesting,” she exclaimed. Dammon was not in mood for riddles. “You have two souls,” she said. “No wonder the familiar picked you.” Finally, Dammon showed her the spell inscribed at the back of his spellbook, his oldest possession. Tracing her fingers over the strange writing a realization dawned within her eyes. “The spell is incomplete”, she explained. “There’s another piece?” the magician asked. “The spell is Inkàðura,” she continued. “It’s a portal.” Casting another spell, she added, “It was written by an old man. His name was Tathan. Do you know him?” Dammon did not. The High Priestess went on to explain that the familiar appears to be preparing him for this deed. Dammon asked how it could be stopped, but the High Priestess did not know. “Though incomplete, I can see that the spell is very powerful. It will require a wizard to complete. My guess is that you are being nurtured for this very task, and when you are ready all will be revealed.” The High Priestess paused before continuing. “If you want to stop it, you will have to be vigilant, and you will need help. Destroying the spell is not good enough. It may be the only thing that can lead us to the portal. That is where this must end. That is where the ties must be severed.” After accepting the High Priestess’ proposal, the group was invited back into the room.

The High Priestess explained to the others what she believed must be done, but warned that the familiar must never suspect its efforts were being contravened. Furthermore, she explained that she would request the assistance of a pious man named Ērēus. He would be an asset to their journey, and a great help when they needed it most. Turning to Saldus, the High Priestess instructed that his task was complete and that he was to return to Oð with the Roðite priest Ezíkus. Despite the old man’s protests, Elésea insisted that the priest was too weak to continue on their journey, and should return to his Temple. She explained that Saldus should return to the High Lord with her official response, and see to the safety of Jak’s family; the rest should travel to the island to Ildûn where there are priests versed in Or Dnur that could liberate Dammon’s soul; in Panæð they might find magicians that can undo Dammon’s wards; and in Lanàdus they must find the portal and destroy it. “All of which,” she concluded “must occur in secrecy, else the familiar become suspicious and find another to do the task.”

The meeting complete, Elésea wished each of them well before leaving them to their own discussions. Those discussions were brief, as Dammon gathered his things and left. After a short while, the others returned into the city to pick-up their clothes for the night’s performance. Again, Zildara and Tressta visited the baths where they could be perfumed and attended to before the show. That evening, they gathered in front of an old and ornate building near the Temple grounds. The crowds arrived by carriage in a dazzling procession of opulence. Hundreds had gathered for the event. As they entered the building, an usher led them to prominent balcony. Noticing their confusion, the usher explained to Tressta that their seats were arranged in such a way that they could see the stage, and “be seen” by the audience. After everyone was seated, the lights were lowered and the opera’s first act began. Following the opera, they mingled in one of several salons for wine and snacks. After introducing themselves to dozens of people, they grew weary of mingling and returned to the Temple.

Wōdìndor, 5 Eren 653

Early the next day, Tressta and Zildara borrowed some riding horses from the Temple stables and rode north from the City of Taldàna into the north country. After a few watches of riding through hills and farmlands, they came to a rural cottage nestled in the foothills of the Tor’n Gorgyn. Inside the house they were greeted by a rough-looking and skeptical gentleman-farmer. After explaining who they were and why they had come the man begged that they wait a while. As they waited, the man opened a storage chest and withdrew a number of heavy sacks that had not been disturbed in years. He then went outside and called his animals to the fence. Soon he was surrounded by a cow and goats. He whispered to each of the animals in turn. Afterward, he visited briefly with a neighbor woman who seemed distraught at his news. He comforted her for a few minutes before returning. Finally, Ērēus gave a shrill whistle and an old horse soon appeared from behind the barn. He saddled the horse and fastened his bags to its side before climbing effortlessly into the saddle. Together, the three returned to Taldàna.

Ērēus did not talk much on the way into the city. It crossed their minds more than once, that perhaps they’d retrieved the wrong man. As they approached the north gate into Kyrm Or’Amra, the guards asked the riders to identify themselves. The farmer rode forward and announced himself as “Ðrdr. Ērēus of Amra, Holy Order of the Heartguard.” The guards’ mouths gaped in disbelief. In a single motion they stepped back, bowed, and opened the gate. Ērēus nodded to each, and their horses passed through. Once inside, the Ðardor brought his horse around and thanked his female escorts. Ērēus dismounted and walked his horse into an unfamiliar area of the temple. Tressta and Zildara returned their horses to the stables and went to prepare for the night’s opera.

After the night’s performance, the companions regrouped in the lobby to continue the unending elbow-brushing with the rich and important Taldànyr. After several minutes, Tressta noticed a fine-looking older gentleman standing quietly nearby. To the surprise of Tressta and Zildara, he introduced himself as Ērēus, and told the story of how he was seeking adventure and hoped to accompany the group when they left the city. All were familiar with the planned ruse, and played along. He presented himself as a rich dilettante looking for excitement in his waning years. Only the Ðardor seemed uncomfortable with the charade. It wasn’t clear however whether it was the lying that bothered him, or the fact that the High Lady had temporarily severed his tie to Amra, so as not to rouse the familiar’s suspicions.

Iyldor, 6 Eren 653

On the third day of the opera, Ērēus and Jak faced-off in a far corner of the temple grounds. After much sparring, both gained some respect for the other’s abilities. After a short time, it became obvious that Ērēus had greater formal training than Jak. The Oðyn spear-man however, made-up for most this in sheer determination and experience. After a watch or more of practice, the two retired to their chambers to prepare for the evening’s festivities. It was decided that Ērēus should not attend further public functions, for fear that he might be recognized outside the temple.

That night the group attended the third act of the Rape of Taldàna.

Irídor, 7 Eren 653

That next night the group attended the fourth act of the Rape of Taldàna.

Roydor, 8 Eren 653

That next night the group attended the last act of the Rape of Taldàna, and enjoyed the festivities that followed, late into the night.

Sūdìdor, 9 Eren 653

On the morning of the Ninth, Dammon received word that the enemy in Boronon was being pursued. It seemed that an effort to capture Eryvek had been disastrous. Several had been killed, and the quarry had escaped into the city. The message continued with the assurance that Eryvek would be captured. The magician thanked the messenger and returned to his room, confident that the Taldànyr had no hope of catching the creature.

After five days of rest, the group headed toward the dock to seek passage to Ildûn. After a long morning of visiting ships and wharf-masters, they could find no ships heading into the open sea. After returning to the Temple, Tressta received her sister’s handmaiden, who explained that Tallyssa was in the city and wanted to have lunch with her. When asked how she had known that Tressta was in town, the handmaid explained that they had been seen at the opera. Agreeing to the lunch, the handmaiden left the Temple.

That evening, the group was provided horses, and proceeded to ride into the hilly north country above the City of Taldàna. While sunset painted bright colors across the western sky, a slender tower came into view not unlike the one they’d seen in Kelamir tendays before. Attached to the top of the needle was tethered a giant fish-like object that seemed to float in the air. As they neared the tower’s base, they watched as a platform was lowered from the dirigible. This is where Ezíkus and Saldus bid farewell to their friends. Carrying a message from the High Priestess, and the well-wishing of their companions, the two joined a small entourage of travels as they climbed the stairs to the base of the tower. Stepping upon a railed platform, they were lifted by a series of ropes and pulleys the entire height of the tower. When they reached the airship, the platform disappeared into a ventral gondola that was tethered to the vessel. After many shouts from the air and ground crews, the tower gave off an evil hiss and the ship rose weightlessly into the darkening sky.

Continued in Family Troubles. See also A Slice of Sky tangent.

Characters

• Dammon Shroudson
• Jak of Cænden
• Tressta Drynsval
• Zildara of Zalan
• High Priestess Elésea the Ninth of Amra
• Eryvek
• Ezíkus of Roð: departed
• Familiar
• Saldus Greymane: departed
• Tallyssa Elyce

Played: 19 Aug 2002