Lords of Sea and Storm IC

Aevylmar · 01-08-2013, 12:13 AM

Opening Music

Tianrasia, Ascendant Fire 17, RY -113

The morning had dawned unseasonably grey and foggy the night that the convoy sailed into Tianrasia. The ships had lain at rest in the abandoned harbor at Moritan the night before; the nighttime journey was judged more of a risk than resting at a city that the Contagion had left months ago.

The core of the convoy consisted of merchant ships, of course. A handful of them still carried the fine timber, rice, or metals that Tianrasia had gobbled up before the arrival of the Great Contagion. Other ships with wiser - or more cynical - captains brought hard bread, smoked meat, and cheap alcohol of all varieties. All the ships brought passengers, some of whom had had the insight to bring food of their own for a long trip, and others of whom had lacked this key insight and were being gouged gloriously. One galley carried no trade goods or profit passengers; its cabin was occupied by one of the last scions of Gens Adara. Her engineers had slept on the deck that night, and as the convoy approached Tianrasia, several of them were dicing for the remainder of the reduced wine ration. They had nothing better to do, after all.

Another captain scanned the sunrise eagerly. He firmly told himself that it wasn’t that he minded bringing Russ - ah, the Most Honored Bianfu Xujia. After all, as the Dignified Bianfu Chissoku had told him approximately four times a week, he was greatly honored by being allowed to carry a Terrestrial Scion of the Great House of Bianfu and, of course her (mortal) retinue. It was simply that between the Most Honorable Bianfu Xujia’s attempts to avoid the Dignified Bianfu Chissoku and the Dignified Bianfu Chissoku’s regular edification on propriety, he was ready to, with proper respect and all appropriate dignity, slit his wrists.

The horse transport had been a lucky find for Ruvana Aria. The original captain had been caught by Raksha scouts nearly four hundred miles west, but his first mate knew enough to do the job. Storms - first a piece of luck; second a gift from the storm mothers inclined to favor their new allies - had sped Aria’s ship and its precious transport on their way east to the safety - ‘safety’ - of Tianrasia, but their stock of remounts had been steadily decreasing. Five of the soldiers (strangely, almost always including Aria) stayed under the deck with the ever-worsening horses, changing in shifts. The rest slept or ate or watched by the deck, ever-watchful for Tianrasia and the opportunity it brought to get out, stretch, and exercise the horses.

They had met the western flotilla only a handful of days before they reached Tianrasia. The vast ships of the easterners were another wonder in an age of wonders to the islanders, but the people were - people. That they would travel together was inevitable; the sailors who manned the transport ship and the border riders who inhabited it were used to dealing with border folk like the islanders; a quick exchange of fish for woodworking expertise was made, and they travelled together the final leg of the journey.

The eastbound flotilla had only met the westbound convoy the night before, resting at the same harbor before joining them for the final approach. This had, naturally, led to the cabin-inhabiting passenger of one of the most reputable transports, despite her hopes, being unable to meet with the distracted Aria or ever-busy Kilea. Arys Cygnus had spent the trip alternating rereading the roster of Terrestrials and military officers with focused, frustrated military practice. Several of the sailors had considered attempting a visit to her quarters; the sight of her practicing military drill had, however, thoroughly scared them off. Some of them wondered if she was actually hoping to find pirates to kill as an outlet for that relentless energy, but if so, she’d had poor luck on the journey - except for the convoy and a few distant specks, they’d spotted no ships.

No-one could say who spotted land first, but in the weeks and years to come, people would quarrel about it. One merchant captain said that he had seen it but had been too distracted with a sudden coughing fit to join the call. An islander spear-fishing claimed that he saw two suns; one in the sky, as always, and one rising from the sea. One clever smith took the opportunity to swipe his fellow’s purse and got a split lip for it.

But what they all saw was the same: The golden walls of the ancient city rising into the sky to a hundred feet beyond sea level. The shining towers, engraved with the written blessings of the gods of the sea and the warnings of the gods of the storm. The artificial hill; Zyantian had needed room for underground machinery, and so the Old City of Tianrasia was built sixteen feet above the natural land level; the three harbors crafted to hold fleet after fleet without ever noticing the lack of space.

But what they did not see was a single living soul. No lighthouse was lit to signal them; no sentinel calling out greetings from a great horn. No ships rushed out of the harbor to challenge them, to demand a harbor toll or ask of news or - anything.

But the call reached every ear, whether it was Russet sternly under guard in her cabin, Cygnes making one final review of her files, Aria in the belly of the horse transport, Xeifan tinkering with her perfect armor, or Kailea deep in prayer. The call came in two languages but a hundred accents, filled with every emotion from hunger to love, joy to a sudden and irrational terror:

“Land ho! Tianrasia!”

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Continued Works of Cathak Merre

”The precise identities of these “Lords of Sea and Storm” remain unknown, though we are certain that they included at least one member of the Shogunate aristocracy, but it cannot be doubted that they understood the magnitude of their situation. To take absolute control of a city with the intention of repelling a full Raksha invasion is not for the fainthearted, and we have little doubt that they had already arranged a full strategic plan to supplant the mortal overseers of the city by the time they entered the city...

Maugan Ra · 01-08-2013, 01:48 PM

Smiling, Aria finishes checking over the large black warhorse she'd been examining and pats him on the neck fondly. "Hear that, Ash? We'll be back on land soon, and then you can stretch these legs of yours."

The horse snorts, as though to say 'about time', and Aria cannot help but grin at his visible irritation. Chuckling slightly, she turned and headed for the deck, eager to lay eyes on this new city.

The sharp ocean breeze caught at her long brown hair as she stepped out onto the deck, and she breathed in deeply, glad to be out of the tight confines of the lower levels. She was grateful to have access to this ship, she couldn't deny, but even so she'd be much happier once they had ground beneath their feet once more.

With a quick nod, she stepped up to the forward rail of the ship, accepting a small spyglass from one of her soldiers and training it on the approaching port. Her smile quickly vanished, to be replaced by a frown as she panned the view back and forth across the approaching dockyards.

"Where is everyone?" she whispered to herself.

Mechanix · 01-08-2013, 02:36 PM

"Land? Well, about damned time."

Xeifan rose slowly from the floor, stretching her sore limbs. She squinted at the shape of her armor in the dark cabin - she'd been staying in the dark for too long. She didn't really need to work on it, as she hadn't made much use of it lately, but it was a way of taking her mind off the boredom of the trip and the anxiety of high waters. She didn't really like ships.

She stepped out of her cabin, the glare of the sun forcing her eyes to close, and walked hesitantly towards the deck. The sight of the city was awesome indeed, and it took her breath away for a moment, as she stood in marvel. It really was all she had come to expect, and perhaps more. What glorious sight! Still even in this tumultous age some stalwart monuments remained of the glory of the Shogunate and the Realm before it.

Except, of course, for the lack of people. She didn't realize it until one of her men called her attention to it, too taken by the sight of the architecture itself. But now that she'd noticed it, it was worrisome indeed. She frowned, thinking for a while, and asked one of her own crew:

"Find me the captain and prepare the knife. I want to know if this is normal, and if not, wether a flying reconaissance might be wise before we venture further."

Arpista · 01-08-2013, 10:51 PM

"Land ho! Tianrasia!"

Arys Cygnes set down the paper she was reviewing - a list of every commissioned officer in the Dragon said to be stationed in Tianrasia - carefully on top of the stack of similar papers. Lifted it, tapped the papers together and put them carefully in their case, her hands tense with suppressed energy. Locked the case with a small, iron key, lifted it in turn and set it into the chest under the table. Locked that as well, and slid the keys back onto the thin iron chain around her neck, which she dropped back under her shirt before taking a quick glance around the cabin. Only then, with everything secured, did she let herself turn to investigate the call of land. Her stride lengthened as she headed for the door; by the time she was up on the deck she was all but running, though she snapped it back to a strict, military stride before any of the sailors had a chance to see.

A strict, quick military stride.

Before her, Tianrasia rose from the water; golden walls and shining towers, engraved with blessings, a true work of art. Still standing, Cygnes noted, and her heart lightened slightly. To come all this way and find Tianrasia fallen... You would have made do. But you don't have to. She stopped there, eyes scanning over the battlements as the ships sped closer. You don't have to. Or do you?

No people. No lighthouse light. No sentinels on the walls, as best she could see from this distance. No approaching ships. Empty or hiding. Calculate. Cygnes bit her lip, staring out over the water.

Either the people are gone, or they are hiding. Why would they be gone? Fair Folk, Contagion, war leader of some sort. A war leader or the Fair Folk would have occupied Tianrasia, and the Fair Folk would probably be obvious about it. Contagion? Could reduce them enough they couldn't manage here. Possible but unlikely. Move on.

What if they're hiding? Why? Either of their own will or someone else's. Whose? Fair folk, warleader. In which case we are sailing into an ambush. Of their own will, then. Deliberate or incidental. If deliberate, could be an ambush - knowingly or unknowingly - or just hiding. Why? Either they're hostile, or they think we're pirates, may be hoping we'd go away. We don't look much like pirates, but you never know. Or incidental - could just be infrastructure or social order are sufficiently decimated that they don't have any guards on the walls, don't have anyone to send out to check incoming ships. Would be stupid, but given a situation of total collapse, also not unlikely. Which gives me three possibilities. If ambush, care is needed. If hiding, they'll see who we are when we show up, just don't alarm them. If empty, nothing we do matters. Ahead of her, the golden walls of Tianrasia were swiftly drawing closer. She turned her head slightly, fastening quiet, intent eyes on the captain.

"The city looks empty. Either they are suffering serious problems with infrastructure or organization, the city is empty, or we are heading into an ambush. May I recommend caution?" She gave the man a polite, respectful nod before turning her gaze back to the city, searching the golden walls for any sign of life.

Aevylmar · 01-09-2013, 01:28 AM

Aria

The soldier who gave her the spyglass shrugged. "I don't know, sir. Should I ask the captain to head for the nearest harbor, or slow his pace?" He sounded completely certain that she knew the answer.

Xeifan

The engineer gave her a semi-hemi-demi-salute and headed over to the captain, who was at the steering oars of the ship. A quick exchange of words and the captain handed off steering duties and joined Xeifan.

She was mortal, a Southerner by birth with skin like weathered bricks and hair like sand, but she knew her way around a deck. A shame about the... opinions.

"Back before the plague? they'd have a warship or seventeen asking us a dozen questions each and taking a double toll on all our nonexistent profits. Today? Who the hell knows?"

Cygnes

The captain turned in response to her arrival, scratching his balding head as she gave her suggestion. "As you say, princess." He turned to give orders to the oarsmen, shouting out commands in quick, harsh Seatongue, and the pace slowed.

Mechanix · 01-09-2013, 07:07 AM

"Right. The plague. Even so, this isn't normal at all. Even if the population was quarantined, there should be vigils or..."

She trailed off, thinking of the implications of this absence of people, her mind racing in too many directions at once. The truth was, she had no idea what was going on, and there were only two ways to find out. The first one was to simply wait for the ships to come to the harbors, but she rejected that idea immediately. There was a possibility of danger, ambush, maybe even - dragons forbid - Contagion. And besides, it was time to show these people that she wasn't just another wealthy passenger. She was the Blood of the Dragons, a Prince of the Earth and this - this ship, this crew, this city, this region - all of it was now, or would soon be, under her responsibility. She needed to send a message, to show that whatever happened, whatever dangers lied ahead, she was in charge.

"Captain, I would ask you to slow your ship. I am going to perform a reconaissance." With a decided look on her face, she turned and waved to a few of her engineers to come with her, and went back to the dark room where she had stored her most precious cargo.
"Time to put her to the test, people," she said with a fond look towards the Glass Knife. "I hope to hell the sea air hasn't damaged her. This is our first field test in the region! Now help me put her on, I've got an Exalt's job to do."

Arpista · 01-09-2013, 06:01 PM

The Exalt smiled and dipped her head in gratitude to the captain, replying softly, "Thank you." Then she turned, returning her gaze to the high golden walls.

Archers on the walls would give you flashes of movement through arrow slits - if these walls had arrow slits - maybe. Ships in the bay, hiding behind the walls? What would betray... Ah. Cygnes cast her gaze out and down, towards the water near the bases of the shining walls, looking for any flash of spray too far out to be coming from waves striking them, splashes that might betray a ship hiding just out of sight beyond them. She followed it with a glance up to the walls, searching for any sign of movement, any cover behind which an attacker might be hiding.

Spoiler

industrious · 01-09-2013, 08:19 PM

Russet

"Come on," she mutters to herself. "You can do this."

There were at least two of her minders on either side of the door, another in the hallway, and one on the deck below hers in case she decided to jump out the porthole like she did two days ago to get out.

And that was just the ones she knew of directly. They were in other places, too, she knew. Waiting.

Now, it seemed there would be no other option.

"Excuse me?" she called out. If they wanted her to ask in Realm, she'd ask in Realm. "Please to be the young-woman-of-childbearing-years unleash Creation."

There. Just as elegant and pleasing and beautiful to hear as they insisted.

Obviously.

Aevylmar · 01-10-2013, 01:10 AM

Everyone

The fleet slows, turning as it approaches the Merchants' Harbor. Soon the majority of the ships are bobbing in the sea as their captains trade glances back and forth.

Xeifan

"Got it." The younger engineer looked up and down the length of the armor, an awed expression on his face. "Time to take the beauty for a real flight."

His partner nudged him. "Let's get started."

Spoiler

Cygnes

Spoiler

Russet

The two minders at the door exchange glances freighted with hidden meanings along the lines of "But it was your turn last time!" and "I'll owe you one." Then the minder on the left speaks, her elegant elocution freightened with the purest Realm accent.

"Most Honored Bianfu Xujia, you may wish to rephrase your sentence. Creation does not need to be unleashed, and the statement 'Please to be the young-woman-of-childbearing-years' is grammatically incorrect. It should be "Please, young-woman-of-childbearing-years, an inaccurate description of all the individuals in this room save for yourself."

industrious · 01-10-2013, 02:29 AM

Russet

Stupid tutors. Stupid minders. Stupid marriage.

And fighting in her quarters was terrible, too. "Sometimes enclosed spaces happen" was not an excuse for sparring with her own personal crazy ninja.

Dragons take her, she wanted to be off of this ship. Or at least away from her minders.

"I, Most Honorable Bianfu Xujia, need to be undone from this ship."

There. That was definitely the right way of saying it.

No, she wasn't going to affect that stupid high society accent.

"Or Most Honorable Russet is going to figure out a way to escape again."

That last bit was in Seatongue, good honest Seatongue, and there was no need for any fancy honorifics there. And it was just enough volume for them to "overhear."

The_Snark · 01-10-2013, 02:52 AM

Stories said the Children of the Dragons lived in palaces of pearl and jade far to the east, as extravagant as any god. Kailea herself had seen the truth of their great ships, taller than houses and sturdy enough to ride even storm swells without fear of being overturned. Of course, the huge ships were very impractical in some ways; the deck was too high to fish from, and she did not see how you could ever drag one onto the beach to see it properly cleaned and stowed. That did not make them any less impressive to see. So she had prepared herself to expect something similar when they reached the 'city' the eastern sailors spoke of. She was not prepared for... this.

Golden cliffs, towers higher than any tree, all of it so huge and wondrous she could barely tell what they were. This was the place, certainly. The sailors on the greatships were all calling the city's name, and some of her people had taken up the cry too. That was a tradition of sea people everywhere, welcoming the sight of land and home. Except... the ships were slowing to a halt, throwing the rafts tied to them (like outriggers on a canoe) into mild disarray. Laka, the oldest surviving fisherman from her tribe, began shouting at people to grab onto the ropes to right them. Kailea stood to get a better look; surely the spirits would not be offended by that, not so close to land. Was the water too shallow for these boats? Had they seen something she missed?

"What is wrong?" she called to Ruvana Aria's ship, cupping her hands to her mouth so she could be heard. "Why do we stop?"

Arpista · 01-10-2013, 06:45 AM

Observer. Hiding.

Cygnes leans on the rail as-if casually, calculations flashing once more through her mind.

Afraid? Perhaps. Spotter for ambush? Perhaps. No ships. No troops on the walls. Either the ambushers are hiding under the water, or have some way of making themselves invisible, or there is an option I have overlooked, or they are not here. There comes a time when even the most paranoid commander has got to admit the ambush may just not be waiting. Arys Cygnes turned her head back to regard the captain.

"I am seeing no signs of attackers, though I spotted at least one living person - staying carefully out of sight, as best he could. I would theorize that Tianrasia's defenses are severely depleted, but probably not preparing to attack us - although it is not impossible." They could also be dematerialized ghosts, or... "Thank you for your caution, I recommend you maintain it. Once we reach the dock, we will likely wish to reassure the Tianrasians as to our intentions. Until then I will keep an eye out." Well, she was definitely staying on the deck now - no sense in ducking below, even to fetch her things, until she was certain about that ambush. She turned, briefly, to glance at the other boats, then back to the city.

My intentions I know - what about those traveling with me? Irrelevant, I cannot find out now. Once we land. Immediately as we land. The walls are still standing, at least, and no one's burned the docks, and there are still a few ships... that's all good news. People hiding, not so good. No guards? ... Reasoning on insufficient data. She dragged her attention back to the golden walls, drew a long breath. Let it out. Patience. We will arrive soon.

Aevylmar · 01-10-2013, 06:48 PM

Russet

The minder on the left looked back to the minder on the right, and then let her speak. "I believe what you meant to say was that you would like to leave the ship. While this is currently impractical, as there has been a delay in our arrival, it would certainly be acceptable if you wished to leave the cabin, go onto the deck, and look at the city."

Aevylmar · 01-12-2013, 04:46 PM

Aria's Ship

The captain turned to hear the sound of Kailea's voice. "We were expecting them to send ships out to meet us, but there's no-one on the walls."

By the time he's finished his sentence, the ships closest to the head of the convoy have started moving again. He rolls his eyes. "Or apparently we're going in anyway."

Xeifan

The engineer sighed as the ship began to move once more, with the armor only halfway to being assembled around its repairer. "Looks like we'll be getting in soon anyway. Do you still want this on?"

Mechanix · 01-12-2013, 06:37 PM

"Please do go on. If anything, it'll help make an impression when we meet the Tianrasian. We have to show we are no backwater lords or barbarians, but worthy heir of the city's wonders."

Also, I like to fly, she did not add.

The_Snark · 01-13-2013, 12:56 AM

Oh, of course. All the women and children should be running out to greet the ships—and all the men too, if the ships are foreign, which these are. That is a custom shared by every tribe Kailea has ever heard of. She should have seen that sooner. Would have, if the city had not looked so unlike the villages she was used to.

"Perhaps they think we are raiders?" she called back up. "If they have lost too many warriors to the plague, they may choose to hide rather than defend their homes. We could shout and make noise to show we are not trying to take them by surprise." She paused, seeing the obvious flaw in her reasoning; nobody could be surprised by a fleet like this. "That is how it would be done where I come from. I do not know the customs here; how do you show that you come as a friend?"

Aevylmar · 01-13-2013, 04:01 AM

Xeifan

They both - all, there's a third one who's sitting around waiting for something to do - grin proudly. "Just as you say, my lady," says the eldest.

Kailea

He pauses for a moment, considering, then called down again. "We aren't really supposed to do anything. In normal times a warship - or a patrol of 'em, given how many we are - would sail out of the harbor, to collect the Shogun's tenth of any goods we carried and check that we weren't pirates or smugglers. I've done that job a time or two, and then once we arrive, the people in the harbor district might take a look. Or they might not, a lot of ships come into a big harbor like this." He sighs. "But now there's nobody around."

Maugan Ra · 01-14-2013, 09:48 AM

"Nothing for it, then. Stay with the other ships, and we'll handle whatever we find inside as best we can." Aria says to the Captain after some consideration. She turns to the nearest of her soldiers, though by this point 'extended family' might be a better term.

"Let's get everyone up on deck, just in case this turns out badly. Keep the weapons sheathed, though - don't want to scare some terrified local into attacking."

Mechanix · 01-14-2013, 11:35 AM

Put on the skin-tight black suit with its mesh of starmetal filaments. Extend your Essence into it until you can feel it breathe as a second skin. Strap the breastplate that will protect your vital organs from a deadly blow. Bite your tongue at the sharp sting when your shoulderblades are pierced by the upper plates to allow for better essence-condution. Slowly introduce your hand into the gauntlet offered by your assistant.

She knew the routine by heart now. Her body slowly encased in magical metal, her mind expanding and caressing the marvellous construct, then slowly bringing it under her command. The pain of the first contact, and the breathtaking exhilaration of the suit's functionalities coming under her control. It was an almost sensual experience. It ended with a brief moment of blindness, as she put on the helmet - and then light, as the jade lens revealed her surroundings and she could see everything, a world both material and spiritual, essence patterns moving freely through the air.

She took one long breath, as the essence of Mela imbued both her and her Artifact, and flexed her fingers; the hand responded as naturally and swiftly as if she'd been wearing nothing at all. She smiled at her crew, though they could not see it; with the eight of the armor added, the normally medium-sized woman was now as tall as the tallest person in the room.

"It's working perfectly. Thank you for your assistance. Now, it is time for me to move on to the stage."

Aevylmar · 01-15-2013, 01:44 AM

Main Tianrasia Theme

Aria

He nodded, with a smile, and then a call down to those below. "Aria wants us on deck!" There was a sudden scramble; horses were returned to their seats as quickly as safety and custom would permit, armor was, if not polished, de-horse-haired, and within the minute the line of twenty ragged soldiers was complete, from Tipsy Vallei on the far left, who could shoot an arrow better drunk than most men could sober, to Tall Kian on the far right, who never spoke if he could help it. There were others, of course; Runny Jen, "Old Arc" - she knew each of them, knew their names and knew their histories, knew what accents they used and , knew how much they could resist and what unstoppable pressures could break them.

Their clothes were ill-fitting; their armor worn, their bows shot and shot again, arrowtips bent from a thousand firings. But the clothes were well-mended, the armor strong, and bow and arrow could still strike through Raksha mail. They were soldiers any general would be proud of, and they were hers.

The ship sailed for the harbor, and the ragged line stood on the deck, swords sheathed, bows still in cases, as they waited for their matriarch's orders.

Xeifan

The armor was light, fitting easily around her form and hindering her not at all as she left the quiet storage room where the Glass Knife had been held. The sailors gave her curious glances as she stepped onto the deck.

The world around her was quiet, but she could see, she could hear, better than ever before.

Then she made the mistake of looking towards the walls. They did not blind her, of course, but... they were so fascinating. The lovely tracework underlying the orichalcum plates; the Essence-channeling apparatus that could pump no or nigh-endless energy through the Elsewhere matrices... all the things where, no matter how well she traced them, she could not see where they went, could not trace it.

And, not for the first time in her life, she felt the quiet, bitter knowledge that every Terrestrial artisan has felt when they saw the ruins of the First Age:

I may repair this, but I cannot make another like it.

Everyone

... And the first ship in the convoy - the ship of the new acting governor - drifted into harbor, overwatched by a great arch, hanging with gleaming spikes and chains; a portcullis hundreds of feet wide, to stop any enemy fleet that might dare approach. A series of careful capsules gilded with orichalcum and touched with adamnt, to be raised or lowered above sea level with magitechnological lifts, could provide harbor for ten such fleets.

The first Tianrasians had started to leave shelter as the ships passed the arch. If Aria's men had seemed ragged, they would have been the healthiest men there. There was a great abundance of finery among the dockhands and general sight-seers who quietly, cautiously approached the ships, but all of it was ragged and torn, little-mended, little-washed; a wool shawl thrown over a rich noblewoman's silk qipao; a dockhand in trousers, no shoes, and a gloriously-embroidered tunic with one sleeve missing.

They were all impoverished, that much was clear; some of them still had solid frames and real muscles that spoke of once-prosperity, but there were no bulging guts or double chins among the crowd. Those, though, were the best. As for the worst, it was clear they would not survive long; ribs showing through thin cloth, arms like sticks, failing voices calling for bread. Yet the streets where they walked were paved with jade; even the more modern warehouses by the harbor were made of good granite and touched up with marble.

As their rescuers made their way to their berths, the crowd drifted towards the docks. No unsightly dirt or blood or grime marched where they stood, as Gaia's Wheel drank up the waste of the wasted citizens.

Such was Zyantian's Triumph, the great city of Ryanno Eiyo; such was the land that Cygnes had been sent to govern, that Russet had been sent to find her betrothed. Such was the city of glorious machines that Xeifan had hoped to see; such was the ultimate fortress that Aria had fled to, and such was the safe haven for Kailea Seven Blossoms and all her people. Such was Tianrasia.

End Prologue.

Chapter One: The Nation In The Night

industrious · 01-15-2013, 02:41 PM

Russet

The palanquin was one befitting a member of Gens Bianfu. Even a disgraced, adopted, societal nightmare as Bianfu Xujia. Fine silk in the colors of the Gens (jet and gold); the roof of the palanquin's gold thread thread intricately woven between the black to form dazziling mandalas and arabesques. On either side, the silk was translucent, the features of the figure within hidden though the one so honored to be borne while their presence undeniable. Russet's minders heaved, and the perfectly balanced mahogany wood lifted with ease, bearing their escort to her betrothed, and shielding her from the public all the while.

Well.

That was the theory, anyway.

To be fair, the palanquin was dazzling. And balance or no, her minders were doing a wonderful job bearing it. Very good that they were, too, because a sudden halt or bump could dash the form within to the pavement.

And frankly, Russet had grown fond of those pillows. Less so that terrifyingly ornate and ostentatious formal gown (not that Russet would ever admit to knowing the word "ostentatious," of course).

There is a slightly dirty figure near the front of the crowd, dressed in plain clothing grayed from overwear, and looking more comfortable doing so than she ever would in anything with more gemstones on it than she had eyes. She stares at the palanquin with wide eyes, and nudges the man next to her.

"So...what's this again?"

Mechanix · 01-16-2013, 02:54 PM

This city. It's glorious.

She basked, there was no other word; she basked in the majesty of Tianrasia, its beauty and wonder. She was awed, and she was humbled, and for the first time she understood what the demon had told her: these legends of greatness beyond compare where not for her to equal. She could not, she could never achieve such greatness.

She shied away from the sight. Around the ship the crowd was slowly gathering, and she thought - beggars in clothes of king. A fitting state in a world gone mad. What was this in their eyes? Fear? Hope? Despair? Apathy? Even her enhanced senses could not devise it. There was no machine to read the truth of one's soul.

She breathed slowly, trying to control her anxiety. She had never been one for public appearanced and crowd-pleasing speeches. But as she looked around at the wary sailors, at the crews still slightly afraid that some contagion lingered in these wretches's haven, she saw that no one advanced forward, and she knew - now was the time for the Princes of the Earth to show their colors.

She stepped to the front of the ship, clad in black metal, and she gathered her strength - both mental and physical.
The armor answered.
She took flight.

It was a mere jump, but it carried her aloft, above the ship, above the sea, above the docks; she rose silently into the air, watching the sky, feeling gravity surrender to her will. The armor had no fruster, no essence-wings; it worked by starmetal-induced gravity shifts, and it felt like falling softly forever. She closed her fist, and lighting crackled through her hand, tickling her skin; she raised her hand and unleashed the bolt of essence, a whirlwind of air and in its core, lightning, pure and unbridled, rising above the roofs and into the air. There was a sound of thunder.

Only then did she look down upon the crowd, and she did not find the words. So she came down slowly, until she was no more than a man's eight above her own ship, and she said:

"We are here."

Maugan Ra · 01-16-2013, 11:18 PM

One of the soldiers opened his mouth. Aria didn't even need to look around at him.

"No, Vallei, you can't have one of those."

Pause.

"Because you don't get paid enough."

Pause

"No, you cannot have a raise. Well, OK, but we have to drag this place back to prosperity first."

Silence, as the ship pulls in to dock.

The_Snark · 01-17-2013, 04:38 AM

As the ships drifted towards the docks, it began to sink in: they were here. The journey which had occupied Kailea's every waking moment for the past few weeks was over. It was time to start... whatever came next. Building a new life, she supposed, though it was hard to imagine living behind those towering walls. They would be very fine to have when the storms came, but she would miss seeing the sea.

"Look, Haseo," she said, beckoning her son to join her and putting her arms around his shoulders. He was shorter than her, and still young enough that he did not mind embracing his mother in public. Especially not after the past few weeks. "We made it. This is going to be our new home."

If the people here welcomed them—but she did not want to burden her son with her worries.

Arpista · 01-17-2013, 08:14 AM

As the great gate passed above her, Arys Cygnes turned her attention from the very impressive if poorly maintained defenses that obstinately insisted on hiding no assassins to the throngs of people. Her practiced eye glanced over them, sorting them. No one looked important or formal enough to be an official party sent to greet them, which was natural enough; only the most prepared governor will manage to appropriately greet a completely unexpected embassy, and with no one remaining to send an Infallible Messenger or Wind-Whispered Words to, and hence no messages that traveled faster than her own ship would, Cygnes was precisely that. She drew another breath, glancing over them again as she looked for anyone who looked particularly noble - not by clothes, but by face and bearing - or honest, or best of all competent. Someone she could, at a minimum, get to tell her what was going on. Surely among the crowd, someone had to be...

That was when she saw the black metal of the armor, saw the wearer turn, gazing, and jump. Heard the roar of the thunder and, softer, the echoing words.

"We are here."

Who is - he? She. What side, what Gens, loyal or otherwise? Did my job just get done for me or complicated thoroughly? Drat it all, I needed to talk with her sooner... The Fire Aspect drew a breath, and raised her head, pushing the calculations to the back of her mind. For now, she knew better than to ignore a cue like that. She tilted her head respectfully to the other Exalt, then straightened, and responded in a loud, ringing voice.

"We are indeed." A red glow shone on Cygnes's forehead, red as the deepest embers, and from behind her came a gust of wind, blowing out her hair and dark red cloak in a sudden blast. "I am Arys Cygnes, sent by the authority of the Shogun for the defense of this town. Are there any here who may speak for the Harbor's Guardians?" What is going on here?

Spoiler

Aevylmar · 01-17-2013, 01:46 PM

Russet

The man shrugs and spits on the still-stainless pavement. "Dragons know, I don't."

One of the women behind him volunteers. "I heard that the dead young lord was getting married. Maybe his bride didn't hear about the plague - what is -"

There was a crack like thunder.

Kailea

Haseo squeezed his mother and looked around excitedly. "I see! Look at all the funny people! And what they're wearing! Where are the gods? Are they funny gods too? How is she flying?"

There was a crack like thunder.

Cygnes

She scanned the crowd, looking for that gleam of skill. She saw a few men in the remains of formal uniforms, legion or guard or palace staff. One of them, who looked much less ragged than the others, met her gaze. He opened his mouth to speak, and there was a crack like thunder.

The Crowd

The thunder rolled, and the crowd looked up at it. An expression of joy sprouted on some of the faces; others remained unchanged, but the effect was electric as the crowd broke into a babble of constant argument. One word echoed through it, going back and forth past Russet.

"The Shogun! The Shogun! The Shogun!"

The ex-soldier rolled his eyes and tried to move through the crowd towards the ships.

The Ships

With the first ships - including those of Bianfu Xujia and Arys Cygnes - having reached the dock, the unloading of supplies, sailors, and passengers begins as the rest of the fleet moves into the dock.

Aria

Kian grinned a quiet, smug grin, and Aria knew precisely what it meant.

"We have reinforcements."

Spoiler

industrious · 01-17-2013, 01:56 PM

Russet

"Wow."

Russet, despite her perky disposition and lack of formal education (save for the hurried tutoring), was not an idiot. She wasn't smart, but she wasn't an idiot.

"Wow."

And living in the manse of Gens Bianfu meant that magitech wasn't something totally unfamiliar to her. She had absolutely no idea how it worked, but it obviously did.

"Wow."

Still...

"Wow."

She hadn't seen anything like that before.

But there was business to attend to. Well, not business, exactly, but information to get.

"So...this young lord. What's he like? If, you know, he isn't dead? Because dead things are generally bad things. Or at least kind of creepy."

Mechanix · 01-17-2013, 02:39 PM

Her father would have cursed her for not taking advantage of this first impression to set herself up in the mind of the commoners as the "most important" member of their fleet. But her father was not here. Xeifan looked around her, taking advantage of the slightly elevated view to take in the ships, their crews, and the most prominent figures among them. She had no intention of making her life harder by denying anyone their proper authority.

The flaring mark on the brow of another, and the words carried with more presence and skill that the dragon had graced her with, identified another Dragon-Blooded among them all. Xeifan answered the nod, rose slightly and flew towards the ship, swiftly coming down on the deck a few paces from the Fire Aspect. She took off her helmet and shook her short-cropped hair.

"My lady Cygnes," she said with some hesitation, bowing slightly towards one she assumed was more highly placed in the complex hierarchy of a Shogunate at war. "I am Xeifan of Gens Adara. Are you the one to be in charge of the city?"

The phrasing was clumsy and betrayed a lack of familiarity with the chains of command, but she hoped to get her message across.

Aevylmar · 01-17-2013, 03:05 PM

Russet

The woman snickers at Russet, then sobers again. "He was a young lord. They're the same everywhere, all high and mighty. Apple of his mother's eye back before the plague carried her away."

She studies Russet. "You're not from around here, are you?"

industrious · 01-17-2013, 03:35 PM

Russet

"Nope."

She's a terrible liar. So she doesn't.

"Got got in with the ships. Turns out sailing is much harder than I thought."

Really, she felt bad for the Captain. It wasn't his fault that her minders were stodgy, unyielding, and exacting of proprieties. But the man told amazing stories, and if she wasn't going to sleep and wanted to see him on deck...

"Hi. I'm Russet."