Slow Waves

[Ashla]

Semi-open. Please post in the recruitment thread, Golden Arrows (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?29699-Golden-Arrows-Recruitment-Thread), before joining. I really don't care about posting order in this particular thread, so have at it!


Hatred often leads to actions that are… not so great… Sometimes though, that hatred is not the cause of those actions – at least not the actions of the person with hate. Sometimes, an outside force will be enough to brand one with the face of a traitor. Left on their own. Would they run fast enough? Would they forget? Or will the crime committed stay forever as a stain that even furthered the hate of that original suspect?

Welcome to Calibri. Calibri is a bustling town in northeast Corone, in a small valley. It is surrounded by several rolling hills, and even gives way to some rocky slopes. The town itself though is successful thanks to its gravel industry. The white, gravel streets are filled with many people and successful businesses. Calibri is an uprising town of industry… but it is about to meet its demise.



~~~

“Ashw- Ayweth!”

A redhead jogged through the streets, her sandals kicking up pebbles as she chased after another person. The person in question had long, black hair. Her mismatched eyes were both beautiful, even if they weren’t the same colors. She wore a navy blue shirt, one that visibly showed her smooth shoulders, and black panties. She had a short, black skirt over her pants. The young woman, with several weapons on her, turned to the redhead chasing her.

Ayleth chuckled, actually in a good mood, “What is it, Felicity?”

The redhead skidded to a stop, right next to her. The girl had her hair pulled back in a ponytail. Her blue shirt and black shorts were accompanied by wrappings that covered all four limbs. The redhead opened her mouth again, speaking in her usual lisp, “Ayweth, whewe you going again?”

Ayleth scoffed, “I already told you, Felicity. Really, my words go from one ear to the other with you…”

Felicity turned a tad bit red, “Sowwy…”

Ayleth chuckled, crossing her arms, “I’m just heading out of town to get your shield that you forgot…”

Felicity held her hands out to stop her talking, “Woah, woah, woah… Howd it. If it’s my shield, why can’t I get it?

In a matter of factly tone, Ayleth spoke, “Why, that’s a splendid idea.” As Felicity stuttered, she walked past her, patting her on the back, “Good luck. Come back by seven, I ordered take out from Jade’s Bane.”

Ayleth walked back to the house. After a successful training session with her apprentice, Ayleth was hoping to get some rest this evening. Calibri was a booming town, and she had spent all week jumbled up between training Felicity and looking for clues. Clues for what you ask? Blue clues on more secret news on the Order of the Crimson Hand. It was Ayleth’s dark mission to take them down, to make them pay for everything they had ever done to not only her, but the world…

However, the Crimson Hand was not her focus today. Ayleth smiled as she walked up an unpainted, oak porch. The wood creaked as she stood on the porch of a small, white house. Ayleth stepped inside, expecting to see a cheery bar full of hopelessly lost drunkards… and one or two people who, like her, were just here to rent out rooms.

However, it would so strange to most, the tavern was empty. In fact, all the tables were turned. Broken chairs, spilled beer (and quite the smell they produced), and a knife embedded into a supporting beam were what remained. Ayleth’s hand slowly crept towards her sword, understanding instantly that she had walked straight into trouble. Ayleth, you’re better than this! Letting a simple good mood get in the way of better judgement, really?

She whipped her sword out in a quick motion, preparing for the storm ahead… she knew there were eyes watching her.

[Flamebird]

Well… that was a hike.

Felicity was covered in leaves and mud from a bit of a tumble she took outside town. At least she had her shield back… Felicity’s weapons and shield clanged against her body as she happily skipped through town. The simple buildings, the busy people, Calibri was as cheerful place to be in. Walking into the inn that her mentor had them staying in, Felicity was greeted by a surprising sight. The inn keeper was there alone. He had several candles lit here and there as he pulled up yet another turned over table. Felicity’s green eyes softened, understanding that some type of uproar had accrued.

She ran up to the man, putting her own two hands on the table, “Wet me hewp!”

The elder innkeeper, a human in his sixties, and his hair and skin quite showing it, smiled, “Thank you, lass, thank you.”

As they continued working on fixing the empty tavern, the man sweeping and mopping while Felicity took care of the furniture, Felicity questioned him, “What happened?”

The man stopped sweeping and sighed, leaning on the mop as he looked back. “They were looking for someone, and were willing to wreck this place to do it. Then they stayed back, waiting… They finally found her and nabbed her, then they left. And that was that.” His crackling voice hardly seemed to make sounds. Felicity considered asking if he should retire.

Felicity lifted a chair, carrying it over to a recently dusted table, “Who wewe ‘dey wooking ‘fo?” she asked, preoccupied with the chair.

The man returned to sweeping, the light sound of the bristles against the floor being one of the few sounds echoing across the lonely building, “A lass named Ashla Rose Icebreaker.”

Felicity dropped her chair.

[Logan]

"It won't be easy," Vince said as Logan looked over the notes and letters placed before him.

"It never is," John said pulling the cigar from his mouth before tapping it twice.

Logan glanced up at John and then Vincent, "So our task is to find this Felicity girl and then she will eventually lead us to Ashla Icebreaker?"

Vincent took a step back from the mess and lifted his arms into the air. "Well, I guess when you put it like that even a monkey could do it."

The psion smirked.

"Hey now, John's no monkey. He's more like a gorilla."

John's gauntlets formed into fists and small spikes rose from the steel. The giant of a man popped his neck as he puffed on the cigar twice more.

"You'd better be careful, Logan. Don't want to get the big guy riled up."

Logan's smirk faded as he nodded to John.

"What do you think, John? We good for this?"

The spikes disappeared back into the metal with small, almost imperceptible clicks, and John tapped the cigar again.

"Yes."

Vincent returned to the table and pointed at a map of Corone.

"You're heading to Times New...wait, I mean Calibri, sorry."

The psion looked down where Vince was pointing. The town of Calibri appeared to nestle nicely among hills, which slightly alarmed the veteran. In his experience, valleys were always one of two things on Althanas: chokepoints or traps. He hoped Calibri might be different.

"And Logan," Vincent said resting a hand on Logan's shoulder, "Remember Ashla is the target, not Felicity. I know your weakness for cute girls, and Felicity is said to be among the cutest."

Logan shrugged his shoulder away from Vince's hand and replied, "It won't be a problem, but your concern is noted."

"We good here," John asked as he gave a subtle head nod to Vincent.

Vince replied, "May the cards guide your way."

John and Logan both took their leave in silence. It didn't take John more than few steps outside the Hierarchy Library to ask Logan, "You gonna clue me in?"

The psion stopped in his tracks and then punched the stone wall quite hard.

"Not long ago I got into a battle in the Citadel with the one and only Madison Freebird."

John nodded, "Go on."

"It didn't go as planned. I...I couldn't control myself for a while. I don't want to talk about it."

"I told you about Jamie."

Logan sighed deeply. If he was going to open up to anyone besides Vincent, it would be John. Over the prior few weeks the two became running mates in multiple adventures. While they made quite the odd pair, they worked well off one another and the psion knew he could trust him.

"I have feelings, at least I think I do, for Madison. But it doesn't make any sense because I know the rumors, the myths, the legends!"

"She destroyed Eiskalt."

Logan punched the wall again, his knuckles slightly bloodied.

"I know. I don't really understand it myself, John."

Logan prepared to punch the wall a third time, but John caught the punch in his gauntlet, absorbing the blow in its entirety.

"Don't worry about it."

The psion took a deep breath and looked at John.

"Alright. Let's just go and do this."

=====

The travel to Calibri was quiet. The two exchanged mild, conversation, but nothing beyond the surface. It was probably a good thing John didn't return to the Madison Freebird subject, and by the time they arrived to the small pub Logan forgot all about it.

The psion entered first followed by the hulking John. A glance around the place gave Logan the impression some sort of fight or brawl happened there, but the end result wasn't clear. John grabbed a table and flipped it over with ease as Logan approached the barkeeper.

"What'll it be, stranger," the barkeeper asked as he wiped a glass.

"Two whiskeys, straight."

The barkeeper pulled two glasses and a bottle from beneath the bar.

"Oh, and do you know a Felicity?"

The barkeeper passed the two whiskey glasses to Logan and then pointed off toward a corner where a smallish redheaded girl sat. The psion nodded, tossed a few coins on the counter, and made his way over to John. Without speaking, he handed the larger man one of the whiskeys and then sipped on his own. As he sipped, he pointed toward the girl.

"Barkeep says that's Felicity."

[Elthas_Belthasar]

Nearby, the town of Calibri held a mine as part of it's growing industry.

The mine was busy and sported a large wave of workers, part of the company of miners in the area. It was all connected to Radasanth's overall net profit, and gold coffers. Not a bad trade off really, the town offered work and steady employ. As a benefit, the company sanctioned by Radasanth offered protection for miners and other benefits. That's where Elthas Belthasar came into play. After recent events in his life, he'd returned to the hometown of his people deep in the forest of Ruild. Calibri and his hometown were practically neighbors and situated fairly closely to one another in the geographical sense. Elthas decided, as leader of his township, to reach out to the people of Calibri and form a beneficial pact with them. Elthas saw that Elves and Humes had to repair the damage caused by the recent civil war in Corone. Further, by historical events, Elves and Humes were not generally trusting of one another. Elthas was one of the few that still honoured the old alliances. He still wanted to forge an Althanas where there could be peaceful co-existence between Elf and Hume kind. In that sense, Elthas was a visionary and a pioneer among his people. His vision are what lead to open trade between Calibri and the Forest Elf community of Ruild. At least, the township that Elthas represented...he could not speak for all Forest Elves. At least not yet.

Elthas came to Calibri with noble intentions and saw a bustling community with lots of opportunity for employ. It would someday become a huge kingdom in it's own right. Elthas would assist the natives in their ambitious goals for a new prosperous Corone. Elthas had been walking alongside the Calibrians for some time. Approximately three or four months already. He'd learned the lay of the land, and he'd made many new allies. In his attempt to unite the Humes of Calibri with the Forest Elves of Ruild, Elthas Belthasar saw a kind of hope. A hope for the future of Radasanth.

It was a normal day, a Thursday like any other. Elthas looked up at the ceiling of the mine shaft. It curved downward into the depths of Althanas. The stone was visible everywhere and there was a strong scent of dirt and rock. It was a bit on the moldy side, plus the scent of oils from the various lanterns that provided light for the miners. Elthas was working as one of the miners, he'd became close allies with the mine's foreman. A rather gruff mountain man who kept his eyes on the miners at all times. The mine was run like a well oiled machine, Elthas admired that. He took notes where he could on the mining operation and offered advice to the foreman when there was time to. Elthas was a leader in the ranks of his kin, and as such, he earned respect everywhere he went to.

At that precise moment, Elthas was mining the basic materials that be manufactures into bronze or steel ingots. The process differed from culture to culture, but the end-result was always the same. A crafted piece of art that was used for this or that purpose. Sometimes war, sometimes peace. Elthas placed his mining pick with the head facing downward against the ground. He angled it at a rough forty five degree angle. He'd been filling his quota of buckets for the entire day straight through without break. He currently had several ore containers filled with ore and granite for the nearby town. There were tracks on the ground that lead back to the surface. Elthas worked without a shirt on, he was always a strong individual and he didn't shirk a hard day's work. Once he'd finished meeting his quota for the day, the well shaped Elf took a nearby towel, his own possessions, and began to dry himself off from the streaming sweat that glistened off his muscular body. He was well chiseled and in great athletic shape. Ever since he lost one arm during one of his most recent adventure, he noticed certain tasks were a lot harder than normal.

Of course, having the disability merely meant that Elthas had to work that much harder.

Elthas noticed the foreman looking at him. He'd finished drying himself off, and walked towards the foreman after getting dressed once more. He placed his traditional fedora hat on last. Once he approached the foreman, he spoke carefully always remembering his place as a member of the Calibri community. "Personal Quota's met. I doubled my work load too." Elthas said calmly.

The foreman frowned. "Damned blue blood. You're gonna make the rest of the lads look bad." Then, the foreman chuckled in a gruff but friendly sort of way. "Gonna take the rest of the day off I take it?"

Elthas nodded. "Been at it for two or three days now non-stop. I have some business to attend to." Elthas explained to the foreman. "When I return in a couple of days, be ready for me. I intend to double my work load once more." Elthas said calmly.

The foreman shook his head. "You're crazy you know that? But you're a damned good miner. And you meet your quotas every time. Go ahead and take some time off Elthas. You've earned it." The foreman said carefully.

Elthas tipped his fedora hat to the foreman. "You're too kind. I shall return in a couple of days."

And so, Elthas decided to head back towards Calibri.

[Hawl]

Where there was business, there was someone who would profit from it.

Hawl loved it, usually being dragged along and every which way as she followed the extended members of her family everywhere. Sometimes she even managed to get as far as Alerar or Raiaera! This week though, the young girl was brought along to the small town of Calibri, bumped and jostled in an uncomfortable travel wagon. According to her Aunt Jane, the mule that pulled the wagon was one of the most majestic animals she had ever seen.

“Why?” The question was innocent and prompted by boredom. Hawl had a tendency to achieve a nearly boneless state, and was currently flopped over a wooden crate like a wet towel.

“Well look at the beast,” Her aunt was younger than she looks, though wrinkles touched her eyes and mouth. Her thin face and nose had inspired the nickname of Crow.

“…So?” Hawl had barely shifted, wrinkling her young face in concentration.

“He thinks himself a powerful horse,” Jane laughed, nodding with her head to the rest of the caravan. Their wagon kept pace with the others, despite the startling size difference between their steeds. The other were drawn by gelded horses, nearly twice as tall as the tiny Hawl.

“But he isn’t?” She sits up, scooting over to Jane in the driver’s spot. She lifted her aunt’s arm, sitting in her lap with a plop. “Why does he do that? Can’t he see he isn’t that big or anything?”

“Because he sincerely thinks he is,” She bops Hawl’s nose lightly. “And if he thinks he is a king among horses, then he could make everyone else think that too.”

“That’s weird…” The girl looks up, her bright blue eyes squinted in puzzlement.

“You’ll get it one day,” Jane giggled, a young sound from someone who might be too old for such things. She ruffles Hawl’s hair. “But my sister will kill me if I don’t make you learn something from this trip. So start thinking, I’m not gonna help you on this.”

~~~~~~~~

Two days later, and Hawl was alone as she walked through the streets of Calibri.

Her aunt Jane’s wagon had begun another journey north and out of the valley the day before. She had planted the small girl into an apartment with a a pile of gold. Enough for Hawl is eat for the three days days that Jane would be traveling to and from Calibri. It was a common deal between Hawl and many of her more “mature” family members with the notable exception of Jess. All of the gold left over from from the pile would go directly to Hawl’s small pockets, and from there to a new dress or a weird knickknack from a far off land, or a weird book or even maybe something she didn’teven realize she needed right then and now! Living in the small townhouse Jess outright bought from one of the locals for too much money just made the trip even more comfortable.

Her aunt needed three days to complete the journey between Calibri and the northern town of Verdana as a proof of concept. Nearly one day to reach it, one to complete her business, and a final day to return. From there, Jane could sell the idea of a constant stream from one end of Corone to the other, with Hawl’s family having a good chunk of the profits that would come from moving goods.

She pushed on the taverns door with both hands, opening it just enough to slip her thin form inside. She stopped almost immediately, wide eyes taking in the aftermath of the chaos. She slipped past the others there, waving to the barkeep. She hops, then hops again and manages to get onto one of the stools by the bar.

“Sorry Hawl, don’t have much in the way of dinner tonight,” The barkeep was apologetic, eyebrows raising. Glass tinkled as he swept up the broken bottles. The dagger lodged into the ceiling was beyond his grasp. The innkeeper nods to the others there, indicating that the same applied to them too.

“Not even eggs or anything?” Hawl made a sad face, slumping in her chair. Her legs swung in the air, too short to touch the ground or the rests. “Or one of the steaks you said were the best on the mainland?”

“Well…” The innkeeper shrugged, sighing. He clearly didn’t expect so many visitors, though the state of his bar exclaimed as much. “Might be able to get the cooking fire going after this place is cleaned up. The missus is gone for the night. She didn’t… take kindly to the commotion from earlier.”

“C-could I help then?” She hopped back down off the stool with a stumble before standing up smartly.

“No, no,” The barkeep waves her off with a laugh. “I can handle this just fine. I’ll get something going for you soon. It’s not like anything else is going to want to wreck up the bar again.”

[redford]

It was irritating that these things seemed to happen to those with the most goodwill in their hearts. It never seemed that sleazy bars and taverns got knocked over, it was always the nicest, most caring people that were the victims of this kind of thing. He and Logan had just sat down after helping organize the overturned tables and chairs. They knew better than to order drinks, at least with the tender still trying to figure out just how much food and drink he didn't have.

And now he was explaining to a child why she'd be going hungry tonight.

He growled indignantly, standing from his tiny chair. Logan spoke.

"Where you going, John?" he asked.

"Out," he said, reaching just above his head to snatch a dagger from a rafter. It clattered to the table after a second. The metal of his gauntlets rippled as he strode to the door.

"Wait, man!" Logan called. John wondered why he didn't understand briefly.

"I'll be back soon," he said flatly as he pulled the door open, leaving into the streets of Calibri, which were dark already.

Golden light streamed from a few windows, and John just walked for a few minutes, no real purpose in mind. His mind did, however, dash down trails of thoughts with blazing speed as his feet carried him wherever they wished. Why was it that those who care the most receive the most injustice? His own family flashed through his mind, bloodied by his own doing. Always the most innocent were victims of the gravest atrocities. His face hardened as he made a decision. It would not be so this time, not as long as he had strength in his arm and coin in his pocket.

His steps now laden with purpose, he quickly found a house, and in front of it a sign with a cleaver and fork in front of it. The universally recognized symbol for butcher. The door rattled on it's hinges as he pounded on it with a fist. There was no response on his first and second knock, but on the third a shout came from inside.

"Alright! Alright quit knockin' I'm comin' already!" The door latch clicked and the door opened to an older, shorter man holding a candle. He looked up at John, and his indignation quickly turned to terror.

"Hey, man, I don't want any trouble, see I'm just a bu-"

John interrupted. "I want meat. I have coin." He held out his purse, much more than adequate for buying cured meats.

The man's face, confused to say the least, contorted in fear, surprise, weariness and glee as he weighed the purse in his hand. Settling on glee, he disappeared into the house, emerging with what appeared to be entire slabs of beef jerky and smoked hams. There had to be more than a hundred pounds of meat, tied up in rope netting. Eventually, John had all of it in hand, and the butcher spoke again.

"I don't know why you're want so much food, but I bet it'll be enough anyways." he smiled a bit, feeling sleep approaching again.

John turned away silently, swinging most of the meat, most of it ready to eat, over his shoulder.

His mood lifted a little, John returned quickly to the bar. The door opened into it, with Logan still sitting at the table, and the child looking at a glass of water like she wished it were something more substantive. Logan spoke.

“Where did you-, what the hell is that?” he asked, pointing at the meat.

“Food.” John took two large smoked hams, tossing the rest on the table. The two hams he took over to the girl. A ham dropped on the bar, nearly knocking the glass over. The girl jumped, and jumped again as she looked up to him.

“Eat.”