With a couple of days to wait in North Beacon until we could see inside the manse, each of us endeavoured to keep busy. Song applied herself to the carvings and structure on the outside of the manse, studying both the engraved lessons and the geomancy of the place while in butterfly form to prevent odd stares from the locals. Caelan was more interested in the town itself and the people, while Olvir decided a new shape was in order and thus one morning began hunting a pigeon across the rooftops in dog form.
He successfully caught the pigeon but as he made his final leap to catch it he misjudged his fall and fell straight through the roof of a house onto the stove below, singeing his fur and upsetting the lit stove which immediately sent flames licking up the walls of the main room. Screams from a woman who’d narrowly avoided injury and yells of anger from a man, who grabbed for a broom and beat Olvir out of the house, could not prevent the fire from taking hold and within moments most of the house was ablaze.
As Olvir fled town the commotion attracted Caelan’s attention and with the help of the locals, a bucket chain was roused into action and the flames eventually doused. The house was ruined however – the blackened shell hardly a home for anyone. Olvir, who’d returned to view the devastation in his newly acquired pigeon form, looked on in horror at the wisps of smoke now rising from the soaked and ruined building. He watched the steward Caelan had recently met with, Tain Comet-Born, arrive to look over the devastation and offer the now-homeless family room to stay in his residence until their house could be rebuilt but it didn’t ease his feelings of guilt.
He flew out beyond the town again, thinking hard. Eventually he landed and assumed human form. Walking back into town he introduced himself to the guards, who recognised him this time as he explained that he, Olvir, had some personal business to attend to and thus had arrived ahead of the circus by a couple of months. Now in the town in a friendly and recognisable shape – as well as a more useful one, he thought – he found his way to the burnt out building and reacting with shock to the events, immediately offered to help rebuild. It went some way to easing his conscience as he tried to play down the thanks of the grateful townsfolk.
He “met” Caelan who’d also offered his assistance, and with the aid of some of the locals they began rebuilding. It wore away the afternoon and as evening approached Tain Comet Born returned; this time to invite the tired workers to dinner for their efforts. They went along and the steward seemed surprised that Caelan had recalled their earlier meeting (though only Song, in her Kinkajou form, curled up tightly around Caelan’s neck, noticed his reaction).
Dinner was delicious and nourishing and the discussion drifted to the Fae and the way they had been calcified into the town fortifications. Tain explained to keen ears how the shapes they’d calcified into were representations of what they were in Creation – the Fae, apparently, were less discrete entities and more concepts and ideas which only assumed definite personas in Creation. It matched what Selene had said about those Raksha who had become shaped and assumed forms more acceptable to Creation, giving them enough stability to exist without losing too much of their ephemeral nature.
We were settling down to easy post-dinner conversation when a cat strolled languidly into the room. Song looked it over, Essence sight active but still surprised to witness the power evident within it as she realised it was no mere cat but a materialised spirit with Essence equalling Caelan’s and an active Charm to lend it fast reactions it could call on should it need. She watched as it walked over to Tain and he stroked it before it turned to beg titbits from Olvir and Caelan as Tain continued to ask the two of them about themselves.
Conversationally he eventually drew Caelan’s name from him and an admission he came from Brightwater. Tain seemed to cough a little – though, to Song’s eyes, he used the feigned cough to hide an Essence-fuelled spider he withdrew from his mouth and despatched to Yu Shan. Her kinkajou eyes widened a little at what he was doing as she watched silently and with interest. The spider, dematerialised so invisible to Olvir and Caelan’s eyes, returned within a few moments to whisper something in his ear – something about Caelan, she wondered?
He raised an eyebrow at the Solar and asked why it was Caelan was wanted by the authorities… but this was as much of a surprise to the young Solar as it evidently had been for Tain when the spider had whispered it in his ear. When Caelan asked Tain how he’d heard our host gave a gracious lie and said he‘d heard it from ‘someone travelling through’. Caelan had nothing to offer as out host stood and picked up the cat, stroking it before opening the door to shoo it out. To all eyes but Song’s it vanished into the night, but she saw it dematerialise and then walk straight back into the house and sit by Caelan’s feet and when we left not long after it followed. Olvir lingered behind to make the most of the fine fare we’d been served but as Caelan headed back Song whispered a warning in his ear.
The creature had fine hearing as well though and it was immediately alert to something. It used a Charm to detect the animal form Lunar – but it came just too late as Caelan had turned to confront it and demand it reveal is purpose. It evidently had no intention of doing so but Song had other ideas and with the gifts granted her by Luna she commanded it to materialise and remain in her presence until she gave it the freedom to depart. Quietly enraged at its treatment it hissed and spat at them for what it considered their deception in not ‘properly’ introducing themselves.
Caelan pointed out what a foolish action that would have been – especially given Tain Comet Born had not introduced himself as an Essence user either and sent an invisible spy after us. Words were exchanged but neither party was prepared to accept the other’s argument. However a tenuous agreement was reached as Caelan proposed the creature be allowed to go free since it promised to do no harm… and Tain could then decide whether he wished to speak with us again with perhaps a little more openness on both sides. Song released it, and it streaked off, presumably back to its master.
Meanwhile in the peaceful surroundings of Tain’s residence Olvir had just finished his ale and a second bowl of excellent stew and, by now a little drunk, ambled out of town a way and shifted into his strix form with a strange idea in mind – to lay Teela an egg. His Strix form was female, after all, and he was pretty sure he *could* do it if he could just put his mind to it...
The guards who’d watched him walk into the forest had already raised the alarm when he returned a couple of hours later bearing the fruit of his labours. They’d seen man and then strix… though were thankfully far enough away not to witness his shapeshift so had drawn the logical conclusion that a strix had carried him off. Relieved but confused Olvir hurriedly concocted a story about how a strix had indeed swept down on him but only caught his jacket and he’d escaped – and he’d then followed it back to his nest and stolen an egg. The concerned guards told him to return it at once – they didn’t want wild strix attacking the town. Olvir shrugged and made as if to head back into the woods, using the familiar bond to call Teela to him and delight her with the largest egg she’d ever seen well away from the sight of the townsfolk.
Back at the Lotus Bloom where Caelan was staying a message was delivered late that evening in Tain’s fine hand. We were invited to a meeting tomorrow to be held in a private room at the tea house. Song, suspicious, stayed awake till dawn; uncertain she could trust either the unknown Essence user or the spirit not to decide the most efficient approach would be a violent one. Thankfully, the night passed peacefully and Caelan related the tale to Olvir over breakfast while Song allowed herself to sleep. Olvir’s own adventures he saved to tell Song later.
The day found the burly Lunar overseeing the ongoing rebuilding of the burnt house with Caelan, the family and a couple of strong townsfolk helping. Song (more to help Olvir than for any other reason) had a little jade but no intention of making her presence known so went to find a local blind woman who would from time to time trade potions or buy things from her when the circus was in town. She asked her to take the money and buy furnishings, pots and clothes for the family to replace those which had been destroyed. Initially wary, Song reassured her there was nothing untoward and left the woman with a little jade for herself as well.
That afternoon we returned to the tea house for our meeting with Tain Comet Born. We introduced ourselves with name and Exaltation, and he told us Tain Comet-Born was his given name and admitted he too was Exalted and Chosen of the Maidens. Thinking back, Olvir and Song recalled Strikes as Thunder mentioning those Exalted of the stars… but we knew no more than that. He explained it meant those who didn’t know him well often forgot their meetings... which was why he’d been surprised we’d recalled him at all.
He’d been born in North Beacon so those who’d grown up with him were less affected by the strange memory loss (hence he could remain as the steward) but explained it caused troubles with visitors or if he travelled. He was not what we’d expected, but then our experience with other Exalted was limited and if there was anything we were learning it was that the nature of those Chosen could vary as much as the weather during Calibration. He was relatively young, like us – at least, he claimed to be 37 and in the spirit of honesty we didn’t think he lied. Of the Chosen of the Maidens however, he was not prepared to discuss them further other than to say that the majority resided almost always in Yu Shan and he was something of an anomaly.
As the conversation turned to other things Song explained that the reason we’d come to the town was as we’d said: we wished to learn from the ancient knowledge and the teachings the manse might hold, although it was herself and not Caelan who was the scholar. Caelan revealed his stone arm in a demonstration of faith and to further explain just why Song wanted to learn all she could. He expressed surprised that as a Solar Caelan couldn’t fix it himself – and Caelan somewhat frustratedly pointed out that since the knowledge wasn’t immediately in his grasp (such Charms were as yet beyond reach) he was doing what he could to resolve it in the meantime.
Song asked if Tain was still prepared to allow us to view the books the Manse contained, and not inclined to beg for favours couched her request such that it could be interpreted either as a request or as a demand. It was as much a test of his reaction as it was a question and he twirled a knife from the table in front of him as he considered his answer. It was merely a table knife good only for cutting cake, but to Song’s Essence-enhanced eyes it appeared also as a starmetal daiklave… almost as if Fate would decree that whatever shape the knife was, Fate would act as if he wielded a starmetal daiklave. She had her answer, and Tain agreed she could review the manse’s lore.
Curious about the manse she took the opportunity while in the spirit of exchanging information to learn a little more. There were two manses working in conjunction, Tain said, not normally possible but something our predecessors had arranged. A Wyld manse contained a waypoint and an Earth manse sat atop it to balance the energy flow. This epic feat of construction controlled the Wyld energies and ensured the calcification of Wyld emanations within the vicinity – hence the strange Raksha fragments in the walls.
We felt it prudent to take the time to explain we had nothing to do with Water Shapes the Land. Since Tain evidently had a hotline to Yu Shan we didn’t want him thinking we were Yozi cultists so we talked over what we knew about the conspiracy and asked him if he could add anything. He knew nothing about it nor had he heard of Glissa Longshadow but he was able to find out why Caelan was wanted (and a little more besides) though, using the same trick as the night before by sending an Essence spider to Yu Shan as a messenger. The bounty was put up a few months back and word had spread to neighbouring towns – though as we suspected it hadn’t spread this far south. He wasn’t the only one who was wanted either as a number of other names were on the list as well: a man called Jeret – we endeavoured not to react with recognition – and a girl wanted alive at all costs named Amber Roshani.
As we talked a plate of fruit was brought in and Caelan, looking to test the reactions of our strange companion, reached for an apple and withdrew one of his knives from Elsewhere and tossed it gently, pommel forward, towards Tain. Seeing the flash of sharp metal though Tain swiftly called upon a Charm and the knife throw went wild. It clattered on the floor uselessly a good few feet from us. Surprised, Caelan – for reasons known only to himself – reached for his daiklave and mimed a thrust with it instead, thinking he’d simply missed with the knife throw. Unfortunately Tain didn’t stay to show Caelan how he might have reacted as he was no longer there – and indeed to Olvir, he’d left 5 minutes beforehand – or at least, that was how Fate painted the memories in his mind. Song and Caelan recalled that he’d vanished but of course, neither knew to where. Song turned to stare in confusion and concerned surprise at Caelan for what she’d seen as his attack had come out of the blue... and he could only turn and shrug and look surprised that his test had garnered such unusual results.
Olvir rolled his eyes at the young lad’s impetuous nature and the damage he’d evidently done to any chances of getting his arm fixed soon, and stomped off back to the burned house to get on with the task of the moment. Caelan pondered briefly and gathered up the fruit bowl and took it over to Tain’s house where he left it on the doorstep with the dagger he’d thrown through the topmost apple along with an attached apologetic note. Song waited for him to leave and then retrieved the dagger, not convinced it would be taken as an apology, and hid it under his bed back in the tea house. She took to the skies looking for Tain, wondering if it was a good idea to approach him or not but deciding that trying was better than not knowing. Her keen eyes spotted him on the hillside not far from the Manse and she swept down, shifting to her human form for speed and efficiency – and also to offer him the insight into the nature of Lunars she’d been reluctant to offer previously.
It was not much and Tain was as suspected wary and not keen to talk. She didn’t try to explain Caelan’s actions, only apologise for them as she endeavoured to make clear his intentions were not ones she shared. Concerned that he was ready to open hostilities and not knowing what form they might take she was relieved when he only asked them to leave the town. Disappointed that she could not continue her learnings within the Manse she agreed that when the circus next visited she would talk to him again then – it would be two months at least before Selene’s Flurry visited on its tour so she hoped emotions might have cooled.
Acknowledging his wishes she took to the skies once again, this time searching for Olvir and Caelan. She tracked down the Lunar first, working on rebuilding the house and landed, finding a quiet spot to shift forms and giving him a summary of the conversation. Olvir was incensed, not only at Caelan for his actions but because it meant he couldn’t make good on his intentions to repair the house and make up for his clumsiness in causing the fire in the first place. Wondering aloud if presenting Tain with Caelan’s head might go some way towards improving things, he finally acceded and stomped away to give last instructions to the workers. As Song took to the skies again looking for Caelan, he jogged away into the woods. He returned shortly carrying a swiftly-hewn tree of hard and valuable wood with the body of a rich-pelted jungle cat lain across it, and giving no word of explanation to the town guards or others with expressions of wonder on their faces, presented both to the family and workers around the half-built house with apologies that he had to leave before the job was completed.
Meanwhile, Song had found Caelan and related the tale. She suggested he leave quickly – and take a different route to Olvir since the usually gentle strongman’s temper was burning with a hot fire directed at him. Caelan took her advice and while he wasn’t happy about it, called to Ariorn and fled town, riding like the wind as he disappeared into the trees overhanging the path out of town.
Song collected up the group’s things (including the knife so recently stashed under Caelan’s bed), left sufficient jade in payment and shifted form a final time to fly away unnoticed. She followed Olvir as they both flew back towards the jungle and from afar they spotted Caelan’s camp fire. The two landed and moving carefully so as not to disturb the young man already resting, lay down to sleep.
The atmosphere was less tense the next morning but there was still a level of chill tension between Olvir and Caelan as we packed up and discussed our approach in quiet, determined tones. Finding that the same people seeking Caelan were also seeking a young girl had kindled a worry in Olvir’s mind and he wanted to go and check out the monastery dedicated to the study of the Terrible Ascent Driven Beast – where a Dragon-Blood had come seeking a young girl but a few months back.
It took us two days to get back to Moonspire where we spent a day resting and attending to our various interests – Song overseeing the work on the Temple, Caelan training his men and Olvir training with Kashlyk. From there we went on towards the monastery – another two days travel. As we approached we saw signs of devastation – Olvir had described the battle with the Dragon Blood to Song and Caelan but the strongman soon realised with horror that the destruction was far more than what he’d witnessed a few months back. Landing at the first dojo he looked around quickly to make sure no-one needed immediate help before rushing on to the next. Song had landed with Caelan to make an approach on foot and they followed in his footsteps.
Finding Sifu Elin at the second, equally wrecked dojo Olvir asked in shocked tones what had happened and the teacher explained how after Olvir had left, the Dragon-Blooded had returned and torn the place apart. He’d been taller, stronger, with a bigger voice – even announcing himself with a more grandiose name: King of the Scarlet Dawn, Fluttering Blade of the Wrathful Obelisk and Lord of the Flaming Fist. Everything about him had seemed more powerful, Sifu Elin reported, and he’d demanded both the girl and that Olvir return and face him – then left leaving destruction in his wake.
The learned sifu believed the Dragon-Blooded had fought with a new fighting style he’d not shown before and with a heavy heart explained he recognised the form as Infernal Monster Style. Also called Infernal Hero Style by its adherents it suggested the Dragon Blooded had sought power in the darkest of places and what we’d face if we found him was not simply an arrogant and powerful Prince of the Earth but also an Akuma of Malfeas.
One of the students, overhearing our conversation, stepped forward. His home village had also had a visitation – whether it was from our Akuma or not he didn’t know – but they’d been looking for a girl who was always out of reach, he explained. The girl’s name was Amber Roshani. Everything fitted horribly into place.
Olvir was probably as angry as the Akuma had been, but his rage was directed at those who caused the destruction as he swore to hunt the Dragon-Blood down and exact vengeance. Equally uppermost in his mind were the two wrecked dojos. It seemed inevitable now that the two would combine to become one with even the previously warring sifu’s now prepared to co-operate and collaborate.
They planned to rebuild, and Song, after checking with the masters found a clearing away from people and began the ritual of elemental summoning to call a Jotun (an Earth elemental) which she set to the task of assisting in the rebuilding. Its might and tireless strength would do the work of ten men.
Next she had a task for a different elemental. Calling a creature of the air she sent it out from the dojo to listen to the words carried on lips in the villages, towns and cities nearby and to return immediately if it heard the name of the Dragon-Blooded Akuma to tell where he could be found. Bound to the task for a month, she hoped it would return earlier than that... but if not, to return to admit defeat.
Olvir meanwhile lent what aid he could to the dojo’s students and teachers – who were doing an admirable job in the wake of such destruction – before we headed back to Moonspire. There was just one more thing to do and that was to make an attempt to carry word to the mysterious girl at the heart of the Akuma’s search. Sadly, we had no way of doing that but we knew one ally might. Thus it was that Song crafted a prayer to Vanileth even as the others worked to complete Moonbeam’s Flight, asking him to grant an unusual boon and empower a sorcerous messenger to carry our words to Amber Roshani: ‘we are allies, you will have sanctuary in Moonspire if you choose to take it, ask for Olvir, Caelan or Song of Falling Rain’.
Vanileth heard her words but his response was tart: he was not some messenger to be asked favours of… but given our work and our standing he’d do it for us – this time only. We sincerely hoped we’d not need to ask such a favour again, and hoped our words would carry to the ears of the one who needed help as we waited and tried not to imagine too hard what damage the Akuma could do in the meantime.