Icarus Awakens

Evalyn was sore towards the end of her advancement. Staying in one position for hours on end was part of it, but she’d also chosen strength to advance today. It was flagging behind and while she wasn’t going to get it to level 3 right now, a point here or there was prudent. Actual exercise hadn’t been a part of the process, it was more of a psychological exhaustion making itself manifest physically.

As she opened her curtain and saw the evening sun, she hoped she wasn’t the only one who had taken a chance to nap. None of them were expected to meet until a late dinner. She was hungry, still tired, and resolved to fulfill those needs in that order. Evalyn knocked on Daniel’s room first, then Khiat’s, then Tak’s, then, reluctantly, Thomas’. No answer. Was he still in prison? She would have tried Lograve but with him being level 4 she half-expected him to still be in meditation. Advancement was such an ordeal at higher levels. The jump from one to two seemed like a mountain itself, but at least she hadn’t hit a wall yet.

It became clear that none of her friends were available. At least there was pleasant company enough downstairs, and she entertained herself by seeing how long it would take the other Bard patrolling the tavern to realize she was competition and not a mark. Two hours and three separate conversations, as it turned out. She didn’t blame him since she’d left her Focus in her room. Say what you will about the propensity for flutes breaking mid-battle, they were a lot easier to lug around. I need to get a bag of holding someday.

She filtered through the tables, Mantle of Grace making it easy to mix among the others. Even apart from her Focus, it was near enough that she didn’t lose her powers. Any music-based ones would be impossible, but why would she need them? There’d be no fighting and no real charming either. Pursuing something physical the moment she hit town would just feed into the worst stereotypes of her class, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t survey the field.

While she wasn’t a natural rumor sponge like Thomas, it was impossible not to pick up things. The minor details like market prices going up or more guards on the street were the concerns of people who lived their whole lives here and she didn’t pay too much attention. The tidbits she cared about included the mumblings of tensions in the outlying villages and caravans vanished entirely, causing delays in shipping, with everyone involved either found dead or assumed to have joined the Mirage. The rumored rebels didn’t do much to the city itself aside from the recent assassinations, instead working against the nobility by trying to cripple trade and morale. Evalyn didn’t understand their motivations considering the Mirage was working directly against the will of the Octyrrum, but neither did she pretend she knew all the facts.

It was nearing night when Tak and Hunter returned. Neither looked too different, but Evalyn could tell they’d spent the day outdoors. Feathers and fur prevented sunburn, but they caught the sand just as badly as her hair. It really got everywhere. Evalyn peeled off from the brewing conspiracies about sand rebels and greeted them. “Hey you two. Seen any of the others?”

“No, but Lograve is upstairs. No one else is close.” Hunter nodded beside him, the actual source of that information.

“I’m sure Daniel and the others are busy with that Artificer,” she sighed. “Maybe I should go by the prison and see if I can help get Thomas out? But he’d just hold owing me over my head. Hmm.”

“How would that work?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but he’d find a way. At least you know when to take a hint.”

Tak gave her a simple, friendly smile. “If you ever change your mind-”

“No, Tak.”

“It’s ok. You are worth the try.”

“Thank you, I think.” Evalyn brushed at her hair, feeling the small amount of sand dust off. How? I was indoors all day. “Well, did it go well?” She covertly glanced at Hunter as well, not directly mentioning him as they were in public. The three grabbed a table as Tak ruminated, the tavern more open as people were gathering close to the Mirage debate.

“Maybe. Hard to tell. Hunter thinks so! I went with intelligence. Hard, but I did it.”

“You have an advancement penalty to that right?”

Tak’s face got the closest she’d ever seen to a scowl. “Yes! It can be annoying, and if it doesn’t work I lose two.”

Evalyn nodded. “I’m sure double advancement makes up for it. That’s the price you pay, though I’m glad I just had an initial wisdom drop. A few weeks and I’d corrected that. Where’d you two go off to anyway?”

“Sand dune just outside the city.” Tak’s primarily brown feathers were lightened by a healthy dusting of the stuff, although he didn’t mind. “Was good. No monsters tried to kill us.” Tak glanced downwards with Evalyn at the faint bloodstains that had been imperfectly washed off. “No monsters tried to kill us while advancing.”

“But you did fight monsters?”

“A few,” Tak admitted. “After. Good practice, but just level 1s.”

“I’m surprised both of you had it in you. I’d be hard pressed to run. Well, actually,” she rolled a shoulder. “No, I’m good. I did strength today.”

“Oh,” Tak cooed. “Get anything?”

“Not sure, I’ll have to sleep on it.” The sun was close to setting. She couldn’t see it on the horizon, but the dimming light outside was telling. Evalyn had noticed by now the inn was built so that there weren’t any windows facing the east or west. Probably a bad idea for a building that served a lot of duskers. “I’ll be pretty disappointed if it’s just something that makes me hit harder. A specialized buff would be nice. Valor Song is a good all-rounder for level 2, but it’s a jack of all trades kind of thing. It gets boring to use the same ability over and over again.”

“I like your music.”

“Thank you Tak,” she laughed, somehow taken by the Totem Warrior’s innocent persistence. For whatever reason it came off better than Thomas’. “Are you two going to get some rest? I got up late, so I’ll probably mix a little more here and then take a walk.” Hunter’s head turned all of a sudden. Not fast enough to be alarming, but it was a direct motion. “What?”

“Thomas is near.” Tak was slightly distracted as he listened to a voice in his head. “Running. He’ll be here in a few minutes. Coming from the center of the city.”

“Good nose. Is he ok?” Hunter walked towards the door, sending one of the more inebriated scampering away.

“No blood on him. There’s another familiar smell too. Not one of us, someone from the gate. The…” Tak cocked his head. “I think he means that guard. The first one, the other avianoid.”

Evalyn debated immediately going for her Focus, or Lograve. “Is he chasing Thomas!?”

“No. They are coming from different directions.”

“How much time before he gets here?”

Tak and Hunter silently consulted. “Maybe five minutes.”

“I just need one, stay here.” Evalyn barely made it back at the promised time, accordion slung on her back. “Let’s go.”

They quickly caught up with Thomas, who was slightly winded from how far he’d been running. “Where-” he took a few breaths. “Where’s Guy?”

“At the other Artificer’s, we think. Did you escape from prison?” Evalyn asked. Several people passing by glanced over.

“No! My brother got me out. L, look.” Thomas tried to put a hand on Evalyn to steady himself but was slapped away. “I got pulled into an interrogation by Tlara’s dad. I know, I know, that’s not even the craziest thing but listen. He’s one of the scariest people here and he’s after Daniel. He doesn’t know who he is yet, but how long do you think it’ll take him to find Tlara and ask her?”

“And Tlara’s not exactly the kind of person to keep that secret out of the kindness of her heart. Damn it. Hunter, can you talk to Daniel?” The ringcat sat back and closed his eyes.

“Can I just say I’m still not used to that?”

“Hunter being Hunter?” Evalyn asked, being careful with her words.

“Just, all of it- woah!” Hunter suddenly sprawled over, losing his balance, before coming unsteadily back on all fours. The air around the ringcat grew intense, and this time one of the patrolling guards took notice.

“We need to get off the street. What was that?”

“They’re talking fast. He is-” Tak frowned. “Oh. Oh no.”

“What’s happening?” Thomas asked with a hint of concern as the group diverted into a random alleyway, inadvertently causing two would-be thieves to reconsider their choice of evening activity. The group was more concerned with how Hunter was almost drunkenly moving and didn’t notice them retreat up a wall and away.

No one answered the Cleric’s question until they were reasonably out of earshot from the street, although a wary eye was kept for anyone that might join them. Finally, Evalyn spoke. “If we’re going to keep having these clandestine discussions, it would be helpful for someone to develop a stealth power. Tak, is it Daniel?”

“Yes. Hunter says his panic is making it hard to move.”

“His what?” Thomas and Evalyn asked, both going on alert. While it wasn’t universally true, very bad things tended to happen when Daniel was afraid. It wasn’t that he was some stalwart soul only affected by the greatest of catastrophes, just that he’d been there for every one after the Upswell.

“He’s in a cage.” Hunter’s words were slurred as if he wasn’t in full control of his tongue. Thomas whirled around and made shushing noises, but Tak shrugged.

“No one to see. We could say it was someone else if someone hears.”

“Guy’s in prison?”

“They were attacked,” Hunter explained. “Won. Both injured. Then people came and put him in a small cage with no magic. He is-” Hunter’s head jerked. “Not happy. Managing, but does not like small spaces.”

“Who attacked them, and who was injured?”

“Kh-kharrre.” There was a shift in Hunter’s stance, subtle but noticeable. A hunching of the shoulders and lowering of the head. “Khiaat isth ffine.”

The two without a Telepathic Link to Hunter took a second to realize what had happened. Predictably, Evalyn got there first. “Daniel!?” Hunter nodded, or rather, Daniel did using Hunter’s head.

Thomas was the most taken aback. “Well, this breaks the scale, Guy. Hand, I didn’t know you could do this.”

Hunter blinked and seemed to reassert control of himself. “He says it is still hard,” Tak translated. “He wanted to control just for a moment. To feel free. He says it is easier now because, oh. Because he has something to run from. He doesn’t have much mana left though.”

“How long can he keep this going?”

Hunter answered this time. “Two minutes. Used a lot when he fought earlier. He is…” A look passed between the ringcat and Tak, both nodding. “We are getting him.”

“Guy, we can’t just go in and get you out. The guard will stop us.”

Evalyn looked back towards the tavern. “We need to get Lograve, maybe speak to whoever commands this region if they aren't leashed by the city.”

A split formed between the four. “He is hurt.” Hunter locked eyes with Evalyn. “I am getting him.”

“How badly injured?”

“Two arrows and some sword cuts. Partially healed before going into the cage, Khare may be worse.”

She sighed, realizing she had to stop the rest of the team from being arrested while managing this crisis. “Daniel listen to me. We can’t get you out right now, but I can put you to sleep, assuming it works how I think it might. Regain your mana and you can hop back into Hunter tomorrow while we sort this out.”

“He doesn’t like this plan,” Hunter cautioned.

“I think it is a good plan,” Tak commented, crossing the divide. “Daniel sounds bad, but it is not smart to be captured too.”

“Hunter, if we’re going to put him to sleep I’ll have to affect you too. If you resist it won’t work, and the longer you delay the less time I have.”

The ringcat didn’t appear moved by the argument. “He wants out.”

“If it was one of us and he wasn’t in prison would he do the smart thing, or put people at risk? Put you at risk?” Evalyn was arguing without the benefit of several charisma features including Mantle of Grace. Even after Hunter had begun benefiting from her bardic songs, he’d proven resistant or immune to others based on lack of interest. That wasn’t to say her words were any less true.

Hunter weighed her words and found reason to override the voice in his head. “Do it. He’s running out of mana.”

Evalyn pulled the accordion and began playing, the song having already started in her soul. The Lullaby was the same as before, theoretically dampening its effectiveness compared to when it had been unheard of. However, this was her sister’s song. Its meaning to her, and the anguish she shared with Hunter, brought forth the will to envelop the troubles of those she cared about in the safety of sleep. It was odd how well she could read Hunter at that moment. The expressions were clear on his face, one that had been so feral even after gaining the ability to speak.

Though she specifically directed her intent away from the others, Tak and Thomas both yawned as did others who peered into the alleyway on hearing the music. For those without empowered attributes, walking toward Evalyn was like trying to swim against a tide that would wash them into unconsciousness if they got too close. Using such a wide ranged power drew attention from the guard who arrived too late to stop what happened.

Hunter closed his eyes and began to rest. Daniel, whose mind occupied the body, was affected to a greater degree. Despite his training, he was still not at home with the ringcat’s heightened senses, which strangely proved to amplify Evalyn’s effect on him. When he fell asleep, the iron focus he’d had on staying within Hunter’s body faded and he returned to his own with only dregs of mana left.

Evalyn stopped playing, allowing the unpowered guard to fully approach. “Miss, we need to ask you to refrain from using bardic music within city limits unless authorized.”

Both Thomas and Tak emanated slight hostility given recent circumstances, but Evalyn turned and smiled. “Sorry, I had to keep this one under control. The charm slipped for a moment but it’s back in place. Usually, I have a week. If it turns out it’s getting used to the effect I’ll get a new one. But, the armor’s fit for this species and I’d like to not have to waste it. You wouldn’t happen to know where any packs were recently sighted? ”

“Uh, no ma’am.” The guard cleared his throat, cheeks reddening. “You should check with the Hunter’s Guild.”

“Good idea. Thank you. Tak, why don’t you wake up the ringcat and we’ll be off.”

Situation defused, Evalyn marched off with a freshly roused Hunter. Thomas leaned close to her and whispered. “You’re really good at lying. Like, scary good, Ev. Ow!” he wheezed, as he was elbowed in the stomach.

…

In every region, there was a force dedicated to suppressing the lingering monster populations which the Spoke was unable to entirely suppress. They took many different forms depending on the societies they supported or, extremely rarely, ruled. In the case of the Forlothan Kingdom, monster hunters served as a distinct group from the guards that defended the city proper. Their responsibility and authority began at the regional boundaries and ended at the city walls. Blessed could freely choose participation in either the Hunter’s Guild or the civic guard, or both, but there was one who had to remain apart.

The Commander led this organization, having no formal overseer within the region at peacetime. They were typically the strongest Blessed permanently residing in their respective regions. Some used that position to capitalize on the strongest monsters that appeared, using them as stepping stones to gain advancement with the hopes of becoming strong enough to join an incursion force. Service with the armies that went into a wild region and blazed the trail was the only feasible way to reach the heights of mortal power, assuming one didn’t encounter a wall first.

While the Commander of Aughal did not bow to its nobility or the Council, she had to respect civic emergencies and threats from within. During times such as now she had needed to call upon the teams of the guild to supplement the overtaxed guard, a situation both sides would have preferred to avoid. This would allow monsters to grow in threat, eventually tipping the balance between pressure from above and risk to the outlying villages. She’d fervently hoped the hardened adventurers from the Thormundz would provide relief and forestall a difficult decision, although so far only one as of yet unnamed Hero had made any sizable dent in the local monster population. The work that man had already done made the Commander mark him as a potential for permanent recruitment into her command staff.

Her next exposure to the survivors of the Thormundz left a decidedly different impression. The Ironrush Ravager, as Rasalia Stoneclaw was more widely known, found herself meeting with people three levels below her as night fell over the city. The ease with which they found their way to her office only surprised her a little more than the armored ringcat, but if what they were saying was true it was worth the attention.

Given the benefits of such a high disparity in levels, Rasalia could approximate not only these visitors’ levels and classes, if that wasn’t obvious, but also roughly where their attributes stood. Strength, dexterity, and intelligence were the weakest of the three mortals, although collectively they covered each other. As for the monster, that may be a clever disguise. Rasalia knew some Druids were capable of taking monstrous form, which would easily explain what she was sensing from the one standing in her office. Why one would do this in her presence, or go through the trouble of making armor specific to only one form she didn’t know, but the vast possibilities of different available powers probably held the explanation. She didn’t comment on it too much as the discussion was already heated, and her insights were still a guess at best.

“If what you’re saying is true, I’m going to need proof. Even then, if your friends did kill people it’s within the city’s right to imprison them while the matter is investigated.” Rasalia’s tone was kept even and controlled.

The Bard leading the group wisely continued to refrain from using any powers that might attempt to influence her. Rasalia was well balanced in her attributes and level 5. She could kill each individual in the room with her without much trouble beyond the fact that that thought to do so would never occur to her. That being said, Evalyn had been passionate in her rebuttal thus far. “We spoke directly to him.”

“You visited him in prison?” She didn’t sense overt deception through her empowered wisdom, but there was something, perhaps many things, these people were hiding. Their secrets were their own up until it conflicted with what they were asking of her. If they were then unwilling to disclose the information, she would let the matter settle without intervening further.

“One of us can communicate telepathically with him.”

“Within an antimagic field?” Rasalia raised an eyebrow. There was a strong Arcanist reported to be traveling with them, but level 5?

“Yes. It’s a bonded power.”

“Oh, of course. I imagine your struggles in getting here provided quite the opportunity to form many such bonds. Which one of you?” Unease, shifting, glances of two of them to the monster. Interesting. “Druid, I would ask you to revert your form so I can hear your account. We have facilities that you may change in,” she added without irony.

Surprise, and a shot of fear from the disguised mortal. Was this a hidden member? Revealing that a dominated beast was actually a Blessed would be quite the swing in a battle and spoke to careful consideration she’d expect from a team experienced in conflicts between both monster and mortal. As the guard had just captured part of their team, the precaution was understandable and raised her appraisal of the four. Still, neither the Druid nor their team immediately complied. “I give you my word as a Champion that what you discuss or reveal will not leave this room unless keeping silent would endanger lives.”

“Champion, did your class evolve? You are the Ironrush, right?” The Cleric named Thomas asked.

“Yes, I am. It evolved four years ago when I reached this level.” Rasalia smiled lightly and genuinely to drive home her point, conscious of how intimidating her beak could look in a neutral position. Also, what the rumors said about her. “I understand why you might want to hold cards up your sleeve, but this organization is above the politics in this city. A fact which, unfortunately, means I do not have unilateral authority to interfere without a very good reason. Please, your Druid’s secret is safe with me.” Glances towards the leader, who shrugged.

“Hunter, it’s alright. You can talk to her.”

Rasalia stared as the Druid opened his maw and spoke gods honest Greater Forlothan. “Daniel and the others were attacked. Shot from behind with arrows, and then many attempted to kill them. After, the guard took them to cells that block his magic. No one healed them, and Khare is very hurt. The large one didn’t even fight and she was arrested.”

Now it was making more sense. If the Druid could still speak while in that form and were otherwise able to comfortably inhabit it, why would they need to revert? The armor would have been expensive to commission, but this was a team with an Artificer. They would be ones to watch if they survived the avarice of the Council. “How injured? If they are in danger of dying then that changes things. I will not suffer unjust execution in this city, even if I must personally take action.”

“Daniel sleeps. I don’t know about Khare, but they were hurt.”

Evalyn, the Bard Rasalia assumed was the leader, then added, “If Khare was good enough to move, I doubt they’re in danger of dying immediately. That doesn’t mean they deserve to be locked in there!”

Rasalia nodded. “Considering I couldn’t confirm that unless I went myself, I appreciate that you didn’t try to lie to me.”

“I’m not stupid enough to think I can get anything by you.” Evalyn wasn’t short with her words, but there was a distance she was placing between herself and Rasalia, making it clear through subtext that she didn’t consider herself a subordinate to the Commander.

“Good. If you intend to work in this region for any amount of time, and I hope you do, honesty will be paramount. Someone in this forsaken city has to play by the rules.” She leaned back in her chair and looked at the dark sky. The onset of night was hardly an immediate concern. Level 5 endurance came with many advantages. However, the same rules didn’t apply to those important enough for her to speak to. The Lieutenant responsible for the arrest should be off duty while their counterpart took over. In the absence of a dusker on the Council, there was likewise no one she could inquire to at this time.

It wasn’t the answer Rasalia wanted to give the team, but as she’d said, someone had to play by the rules. “I’m sorry, there’s little to be done tonight. I will say I neither appreciate nor condone the attitude this city takes towards rare classes. It is, unfortunately, an obsession that spreads beyond this region. That being said, they have overstepped here and my influence can be placed behind your team to keep the pressure off now that they’ve done something questionable. Now, if there are facts incongruent with what you have presented, I cannot promise this will hold true.”

“But we are telling the truth! They plucked Guy right off the street after he’d been shot up and didn’t do anything about it!”

“By chance,” Rasalia asked, “Have you informed your church, Cleric?”

“After here I will. We need to get him out.”

Rasalia held up a hand. “I will advise patience there. There are no formal mechanisms for arbitrating matters like this with the divine leadership in this city, and an additional interest weighing in right now could make things more complicated.”

“One of ours is injured and they’re just letting them all rot!” Thomas protested, far more vehemence in his words than Evalyn’s.

“Your commitment to your friends is commendable, and that is what I’m worried about. If your church takes drastic action based on its connection to you, it will cloud the sky. Believe me, they have made a mistake and I can use that to protect your friends.” That seemed to mollify the Cleric.

“How does this work, then?” Evalyn asked.

“Return to where you were staying and come back early tomorrow evening. I will either have them freed or will be in the process of doing so.” She wanted to leave it at that, but the current state of Aughal pressed her to add, “After that, I would be very interested in discussing contracts with your team. We are in the midst of what could become a crisis if our monster population isn’t culled.”

“We have advancements to consolidate. At least a week’s worth,” Evalyn said carefully, wary of giving a direct no given the circumstances.

“I see. If there is nothing else, I wish you all a good night.”

“Wait!” Thomas shouted, surprising the others. “There’s something we gotta tell you about.”

“Shouldn’t we let Lograve do this?” Evalyn asked with a hint of caution.

“We don’t have the time to wait for this kind of stuff. We-”

“This wouldn’t have to do with the theoretical cataclysmic entity within the Thormundz mountain range?” Three of the four blinked at her, the other avianoid continuing to be a nonplussed observer of the conversation. “I was informed of its existence by Gadriel Cross and forwarded a recommendation for assessment to the civic leaders yesterday. From what I understand, your Arcanist will follow up with them personally to see that they take this matter seriously. I am sure this was impressed on you, but let me reiterate that news of this is to be kept from the public at this time. We have enough going on here without mass panic.”

“You know already?”

“Yes,” Rasalia answered, just a little exasperated.

Thomas had the self-awareness to appear embarrassed. “Oh. That’s good.”

“Then if there’s nothing else?” The group, who she only now realized had neglected to give her their team name, filed out shortly afterward. Rasalia sat stiffly in her chair, pretending to glance at documents while using Peer Beyond to follow the group out of the building. The power was nothing on the level of what Fates could do, but within a reasonable distance she could pick out a conversation that would otherwise be inaudible to her.

She was relieved when she heard the four agree to hold off on storming the guardhouse since she didn’t want to use her powers to defend the city unless absolutely necessary. There’d just be too much collateral damage.