Long Nights Part 2 [Quest][Samhain Aeramis, Eallyrl]

[Void]

Roaring gusts of wind tear across the cityscape from the blister storm above; the power gales tearing shingles from roofs and toppling anything over that is not anchored. Torrents of thick rain drop splatter down upon the payed stone streets creating rapid rivers into the sewers below. Those who haven't found shelter nature quick scamper about with make shift covers held over their heads to protect what little of their body that isn't soaked through to the bone. Being built in such as place that seems such storms seasonally most of the city fares quite well with its thick timber homes and high protective stone walls. Down in the lower parts of city such conditions are only the products of dreams.

The slums, given the name sake from their social status, is fairing rather poorly in the midst of the down pour and blistering winds. Made mostly from old timbers and left overs from other construction jobs the shakes and hovels of the area quake and moan with every passing minute, many of them threaten to collapse in the coming gale. Over crowed as the slums are many are unfortunate enough to be left out in the storm, finding what little cover they can under boxes or under ragged canvases. The sight is a dower one to behold, with any luck at least half of the citizen will be alive to see the coming light of a new day.

Off from the northern gate, and only gate into the slums two travelers can be made out through the darkness of night and the misty rain. One a downtrodden noble who seeks to reclaim his family name sake; the other is a elf, slave to the man at her side. Strangers in the slums are not an uncommon site to those that behold here and generally as seen as a sight of trouble. Having to face the perils of nature already those that are nearby the approaching newcomers are quick to slip away though the miscellaneous alleys and hidden passages only known to their people. It isn't until all have cleared from their area that an older gentleman approaches the two cloaked strangers, his gait slightly awkward with a mild limp that causes him to walk with a worn cane.


"Please. I do not know what brings you to these parts but we wish for no trouble. We've had enough in recent days from outsiders."

He claims through a gust of wind.

While it's difficult make out the man's own face with a cloak hiding most of it from site his voice holds a deep hint of an elven accent.

Samhain Aeramis
Eallyrl

[Samhain Aeramis]

The storm raged around them as it threatened to tear the entire neighborhood from the ground killing all those that sought shelter with it. The rain beat on his back and his cloak had been completely soaked through at this point but it would not extinguish the fire within the young Lord’s eyes. They burned brightly as if they were furnaces from the very hells so many people feared. A sneer emblazoned on his face. The weather could not sour his mood any more so than Captain Dawn had.

As the man approached Samhain’s eyes snapped to the cloaked man. He pleaded that they did not want any more trouble than they already had. Samhain was here to rid them of the trouble but his ears picked up something interesting. An accent he had never heard before. Without showing so much as a twitch of a muscle in his face he began to take in the man.

“Take a breath we are not here to cause the citizens any more trouble. That is as a long as they are law abiding.” Samhain growled as his fist opened and closed as he was trying to keep his mind calm enough. “I am here to rid the menace that has cast a shadow over this set of… homes. Be grateful,” The young lord said as he continued to take in the man that stood in front of them.

“It is common courtesy to introduce yourself when you accept help from a stranger. That includes lowering your hood and showing your face.” Aeramis stated in a matter a fact tone. He wanted to see what was hiding underneath the hood and if he was going to root out not only the gang that had been terrorizing, but also the source behind it. Samhain was going to need to get every single identity he could from every person. The more information he had the better off he was.

[Eallyrl]

The normally talkative rogue was silent as they entered the downtrodden district. For her, it was not the first time she had entered the area. Some of her kind, Shroudlings, called this place home, those that had earned “freedom.” What a joke. Freedom, in so many cases, allowed those who obtained it to suffer and starve on their own. How was servitude to another a negative thing if it allowed you to live a comfortable life? Isn’t that what a job was? As Eallyrl saw it, she was paid not in coin, but in food, board and more. The sad state of the slums only reinforced her view on her station in life.

Slightly behind and to the left of her master, Elly’s eyes came to rest on the old man as he approached. Old man, child, assassin…they were interchangeable in her experience. When it really came down to it the elf trusted no one save Samhain. Often she created the illusion of trust when it was needed, yet the “bonds” she created with others were no stronger than the thread of a cheap tunic.

”Common courtesy indeed… Perhaps you issues have arisen because of the immediate suspicion cast on outsiders regardless of who they might be?” The Aeramis name had almost been dropped but she realized her master likely wanted the name hidden unless its reveal presented clear benefits. Her comment wasn’t needed yet she just couldn’t help herself. In reality she understood suspicions, it kept you alive more often than not and this old man still drew breath despite his current surroundings.

Under her cloak, the material clinging to her shoulders, she clutched the blades at her belt. Their situation seemed calm now. That likely wouldn’t be the case for much longer. Simple tasks from sources unfamiliar led to complications. Eallyrl expected complications before the night was through.

[Void]

There was an uneasy sense of relief that came over the hooded man at the youths words. What he said could have been truth in its purest form yet after years of dealing with outsiders, manly humans, the elderly man had learned that what was often given as the truth was far from it. It paid to live with caution towards those that were not known in these parts. Those which came to the slums sought few things from the battered and downtrodden. In most cases it was simply to berate and assault those who could not, or would not fight back for a sense of power which they did not claim in the streets above. For others it was merely to take what few possessions they had left in the world. From the outside looking in, the slum dwellers were a flighty and quick to assume people. Looking outwards, these people had good reason for acting the way they did. 

"Do forgive an old man's words. We as a people have little trust for those beyond the stone jail we reside in."

With his upper torso leaning forward the hooded man performed a bow, his left arm coming to hug his chest as his right shot out erect to his side. Having to position his better foot before the other while doing the action caused a moment of trembling from the crippled limb. Having practiced the respectful bow so many times before the elderly man was quick to correct the slight stumble as he held his bow low, his gaze towards the drenched soil below. Holding the position for a few moment a rough groan escaped from under his hood as he rose up right slowly once more. Even without the crippled limb his golden years were long gone and it was clearly apparent in his fatigued body.

"However that being said one cannot solely go on another's word alone. Your people, as a whole, have done many great evils to my kind, and continue to do so till this day. It is not as though we chose to live in such conditions."

The elderly man's arm parts slightly to pan out towards the ill faded structures that dance rigidly with each tide of wind. Only able to hold  the moving position for a moment his hand quickly returns to rest upon the cane at his side as it takes the weight of his body upon it.

"Like us you assume much, especially about those you know nothing of. We assume you come to create grief because that is all we know of your kind. Just as you assume those that are beaten down into earths muck will accept help when it's given. Please try not to find insult in my words. Nothing is free in these lands. Not the air that we breath. Not the bread that fills our bodies, nor aid when not asked."

The elderly man paused allowing for slow intake of breath through ragged coughs in his cupped hand.

"I apologize about that."

He bowed his head once again, though not as deep this time as the back of his cloak came up to wipe his face.

"If you wish behold my face I see nothing wrong with that. Like you I wished to be shield from this dismal rain but if seeing my appearance will ease your woes in the slightest I shall give into such woes."

With that the man's shaking and some what bony hand rises from the brim of his cloak. Coming to rest upon the brim of the his hood it is slow to fall back over his shoulders. The face coming from the shadows was an aged one. With a first glance guess it could be assumed the man was late in his years, possibly in his eighties, perhaps older. Worn, loose skin clung to his face, with slightly sunken eyes from years of sleepless nights and fatiguing days. A particular feature of a large, dull scar ran from center of the mans fore head, and racked in a diagonal position over his eyes as it come to a sharp point just over his left cheek bone. It wasn't until the cloak was pulled back that the scar could be seen and with it the man's creamy white eye that had been struck with blindness. Even with the scar drawing much attention it was the man's elongated and knife tipped ears that gave him away from what he was; a Shroudling, a slave.

On the other side of the mans face, just opposite of the massive scar was a faded tattoo, possibly etched in his skin many years ago. Most tattoos located on the face were a type of branding used by slave owners to easily identify their property. Even with the faded ink and blistering rain, it was easy enough to make out the details of the facial markings.

Waiting a few seconds to allow the strangers to gaze at his face the elderly man would nod slowly as in deep thought, his eyes turning to fix on the cloaked figure which stood next to the first.

"We assume because we must. If a bear is charging towards you, would you assume it going to give you a hug? No. You assume it's intent is to maul without mercy. You flee and then ponder the true intentions of the beast."

The man spoke towards Eallyrl. Though his words carried weight upon them his tone was rather flat and tiresome.

Turning his attention away from the second cloaked individual the man's tired eye falls upon Samhain once more.

"You may call me Elder Elion Inaralei Von Illart. Or if you prefer Elder...or Elion, which ever you find preference towards."

While the name was a lengthy one indeed the latter part of the name, 'Von Illart' was a name would quickly ring a bell in both the travelers. Von Illart was a famous general that aided in pushing back the rampaging Draconic armies many years ago in the The Great Talon Wars. The man himself created a turning point in the war when his light infantry drew out a massive portion of the Draconic army and then crushed them with hidden cavalry in the nearby woods. While Samhain would know more information on the man given his higher education as a noble the name would still be known enough to Eallyrl. For the time being the Von Illart family was less powerful than they once were but still held power and respect in the kings court.

[Samhain Aeramis]

The rain beat down on the elf’s face as the tattoo’s stood out as lightning illuminated the sky far above any of them. The man had seen better days but the marks were distinctive reminders of the past and the famous history of his master. Samhain’s eyes were studying every movement that the man made before his hood rose back above his head to shield him.

“Elder Elion Inaralei Von Illart…” Samhain started before taking a breath. He knew he needed to calm his nerves for at least the moment. “Elder it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Please forgive my crudeness, I have been given very little information to work with and have not exactly had the best night thus far.” Samhain said in the most docile tone.

Shifting on his feet his head turned to Eallyrl with a weary look. Turning back to the Elder he looked past him down the street to see eyes peeking out from every nook and cranny. “We have both been sent here to rid the slums of the gang that has been terrorizing it. To make things easier any information you can provide would be appreciated.” Taking a breath he shifted the topic to something that was going to be interesting to get an answer to an awkward question.

“Elder, how did you end up here with a name such as yours? That family name would have ensured that you received quarters in most noble houses and even among the palace. It is a hero’s name after all at least much better than mine.” Samhain questioned with an eye of skepticism and curiosity.

[Eallyrl]

A soft, almost inaudible chuckle came from the elf at the old man’s words. At first she thought to retort with the differences between man and beast, but even she knew that was farfetched. Despite civilization and all that “man” had accomplished, they were just beasts that wore fabric as clothes. So instead she let out the soft chuckle and conceded the point. From beneath her cowl, dark eyes remained locked on the old man before them. They way he spoke hinted at more than you common old codger. Shortly after his comment to her, his true identity was revealed.

Elder Elion Inaralei Von Illart, a name that was mentioned in her presence in the past. Unlike Samhain she spent little time in books or scrolls, her history of the world what she heard from others. She knew most of the important parts and the important players, yet when it came down to it, cared little for them. Eallyrl was aware many believed one should study the past in order to prevent mistakes in the future. In theory it made sense, but when it came down to it situations rarely repeated themselves consistently. However, there were always unpredictable variables.

A perfect example stood before them. Once a war hero, Elion now hobbled the street with the aid of a cane as thugs operated all around him. Put him back in the situations spoken about in the stories of his deeds and the outcome would be vastly different. Elly voiced none of these thoughts. Instead she stood in well practiced silence alongside her master. Rain continued to run from her hood add to the puddles around her feet. She felt the cold damp air of the night seeping in through her light armor. I silence she ignored it. Hopefully one day, when Samhain restored the name of his family to its former glory, there would be a warm bath waiting for her after nights such as this one.

[Void]

As Elder Elion had hoped for the cloaked stranger spoke nothing this time about. The young were so tiresome and knew nothing of respect for their elders as proven by her boisterous voice. Behind the hood and within the shadows there wasn't a doubt in the elders mind that the woman had much to say. The way she carried herself, her tone of voice, it told Elion much much of her and none of it was pleasing to his mind. Thoughts lingered on the shadowy woman for a few moments before they were cast aside. She was not one of his own. Had that been such the case he would have certainly given her a stern talking to if not tanned her hide raw. Such flaws in a persons character should have been taken care of in their youth but it was never to late to teach a dog new tricks, or at least not to piss on the rug.

Attention being diverted onto Samhain once more with this question caused the briefest flash of suddenness across his weathered face before it dried up.

"Regardless of who you served, or what you did, my kind will always find themselves in one of two places. Buried for an eternal slumber. Or here. Where death is something that is greeted like an old friend."

 Elion turned his head to gaze in the direction of the Imperial Keep, hidden just beyond the high walls that surrounded the slums.

"Elion is my birth name. Spoken first by my mother. Inaralei was from my father, given to him by his father and passed down since the beginning. Thus I hold those words with great honor."

 Elion paused to gather a racking breath through cupped hands.

"It wasn't until later in life that Von Illart was given to me, in exchange for my services and the use of my eye."

 As Elion spoke his left index finger traced the ragged scar that was upon his face.

"Regardless of how or why I wound up here it matters little towards why you are here. These thugs have indeed been harassing my people for what little we have. Trinkets. Coin. Food. All have been taken from us. Yet when one cannot, or choose not to give they are beaten and left to rot in the sun. I fear once there is nothing left they will burn all which we have left into ashes."

Up to this point Elion had been able to contain his outward emotions but there was only so much one man could hold back as his voice wavered at the idea of their loss.

"If what you say is truth then I will tell you all that you ask. However if you do this only for the reward that greed offers I fear you shall be disappointed to find we have nothing to offer other than our gratitude."

[Samhain Aeramis]

The old man really loved to run his mouth and talk of grandiose events. Or rather he preferred poetic words that danced around the subject. These types of phrases had their place when you were trying to hide your meaning or insults. Samhain had seen it deployed by higher nobles when they dealt with him and his father when his father still drew breath. This man definitely had some of the higher class rub off on how he talked. However, there was one thing that irked him internally. The elf spoke like he was the only one that knew the proper way for shroudlings. All slave liberators never seemed to understand this. They thought they spoke for everyone and everything as if they were some kind of god walking on this plane of existence.

The true fact of the matter is this: the strong will always determine what happens to the weak. The reason why there were slaves were because their ancestors those that were once thought as powerful fell to the truly stronger force. It was the survival of the fittest. If you were too weak you perished. If your house was too weak it was crushed. And if your kingdom was too weak it crumbled beneath the empire’s might. The Gracelings lost and now they were given the opportunity to still exist in this world. They weren’t put to the sword as many thought they should. They were given the chance to live lives that could be fulfilling in their own way. If they truly wanted the freedom that they once had then it was up to them to acquire enough power to take it, if they couldn’t then they deserved absolutely no place at the table of influence. The shroudlings that wished for freedom often only ended up in places like this to suffer a fate that he felt was much worse than slavery could have been.

“Trust me when I say this. I seek no earthly or material reward from the citizens of this area of the city. Just simply remembering the deed and speaking well of the deed is enough reward,” Samhain replied as his patience once again began to wane as the storm raged around them. He was here for a job and he needed to complete it so that he could actually get out of the rain. The Captain would compensate him well enough that anything that these people may have offered would be taking what they use to cling to life. While Samhain could be cold when he needed to be he was not overtly cruel to those that had not done him wrong. “Please share with us what information you have.”

(Sorry about the delay. Between the holiday and a lack of internet it has been tough to post.)

[Eallyrl]

There were many Shroudlings throughout the world and despite their shared history; they were not all the same. In his younger days Elion had taken a path to better his life and the lives of others, but in the end it found him here in the slums. Eallyrl wouldn’t openly judge the man, for her perspective on his failure was likely far different than his own. The difference in their perspectives on the world meant they would never see eye to eye on most topics, their heritage the only thing they shared. She was not a young elf under his wing which he could reprimand for her mistakes and he was not your common old fool that she could intimidate. In the end, Samhain’s presence was what kept things civil.



In partial shadows and silence she remained silent at her master’s side. The less she said, the faster the old man would speak and the quicker they could be on their way. As for Samhain not needing any reward beyond the truth of his actions being spread…Eallyrl wanted to scowl. The expression wouldn’t have been aimed at the man, but at the idea of doing something for free. She understood what a reputation granted, yet to leave with nothing tangible, physical felt…wrong. Hopefully she wouldn’t go home completely empty handed today.

(Sorry! Totally though Void was up!)

[Void]

Elion felt a lack of need stare into the faces of the two strangers to take a firm grasp of the clashing opinions which the two parties held. Eyes directed just on a spot between the two figures his vision swarmed around them but it wasn't sight which informed him of ill thoughts but the aura which they possessed. Like a beacon set high upon a tower he could easily sense  their thoughts even though the dim light and the fanning winds which brought great waves of fresh rain. Had he brought a knife he was certain he could slice through the aura's of anger, ill content and pride the two of them carried. Like many of their kind it wasn't anything that had not been seen before but the shear depth of it shared between the two was rather impressive, if not down right disgusting.

If faith had dealt him with another hand of cards he surely would have played them but for the time being Elion was stuck with the dismal hand which stood before him the galling breeze. The outward appearance of the two was uplifting enough to merchants and others of the higher class but they certainly lacked the appearance of seasoned warriors.

Between the two of them Elion had to admit the unruly and disrespectful woman had a deeper infliction on first sight of someone who knew the basic mechanics of a brawl; the same could not been said for the man. A tad bit on the wiry side with less mass in areas that one would come to expect from a warrior. They had offered their aid to asset the elder with the task of taking out the ruffians which have been tormenting his people. Had they been well worked warriors he wouldn't have thought much of it but unless these two could someone manage to glare someone to death he didn't think much of their chances. Be that as it may Elion saw no reason to stop them, as if he could given his state. He had to admit the man in particular held a heavy drive with him about this for some reason that the elder could not understand.

"If they feel so determined who am I to stop them?"

He thought with the slightest uplifting of his shoulders. After all neither side held any allegiance to the other, hopefully once all was said and done the unpleasantness of their company would linger no further.

"If that is what you seek as your reward you will find much favor in that regard."

Elion spoke with soft grin appearing upon his face though there was a stubble lack of humor in his eyes.

"I am not certain as to where these men first came from nor why they feel the need to harasses my people more than others. They are of your kind, Human; at least the ones I've seen in recent times. Dull weapons, mostly clubs and other makeshift devices meant for blunt strikes. Enough to deliver messages with a single hit but not to kill. With every visit I've taken notice of a particular salty scent that follows them I believe you will find them port side along the city, though eastern or western port I am unsure."

Elion paused for a moment, his left index finger coming up to tap thoughtfully upon his chin before it came to him.

"Ah yes. I believe their leader goes by the name of Siles... what this person looks like, or who they really are is beyond myself."

Elion ended his sentence with another chest racking spasm of hacks of coughs before regaining his composer.

"If you plan to go after them then heed my words. It is likely they have taken notice of your arrival and reported it to their leader. What will come of this I cannot say. Be prepared for they will be."

[Samhain Aeramis]

Samhain rolled his head slightly to the side in order to keep his neck from locking up in the cold. The water had soaked through his hood and his hair had become a wet mop as the fabric clung to his hair. His hand went to his chin and brushed through his facial hair. The old man finally gave him the details that he needed. It had taken him long enough to get around to doing so. For whatever reason he decided that he needed to give them an over the top lecture in poetic language. He had already expressed his frustration internally over the poetic language and really did not feel like rehashing it.

Nodding his head to the shroudling and began to walk past him before stopping right next to him. “I will get rid of the trash that litters the streets. Tell your people to hunker down as best they can for the storm. And to take cover from the wrath that will be dealt. Tell your people of those that came to help them.” Samhain said as he turned his head to meet the Elder’s eye. Turning back to look down the street he left one final comment with Ellion. “No matter what you may perceive us to be, no matter how much you despise what we stand for, remember this. We are the only ones that have come to help you. No one else. You know they would rather see you dead and out of their way. Do not turn down what little help you receive as a gift from the Heavens.” With that final comment he began walking down the street. He did not need to have summon Elly to his side as he knew she would come to his side.

Once they were further down the street Samhain continued to towards where the docks were. If they were trying to control this particular area, then it would only make sense that they tried to control the coast. From there they could set up any number of successful operations including smuggling, raids, kidnapping and illegal slavery. “Eallyrl, what do you say about us luring out a few friends in order to play?” Samhain said with a hint of sadistic nature, something he rarely indulged in. “Or would you rather spring a surprise on our friends and to gather information that way? Because frankly it seems like either is a viable option at the current moment.”

[Eallyrl]

Samhain was done with the hero from another age and Eallyrl held no objections to moving on. The young Shroudling and her elder counterpart would never see eye to eye, much like the grandfather and his grandchildren. Had she been young and naïve, still a child, his words and wisdom might have influenced her for a time. Yet, as she grew the world would have pressed itself on her and forced new views of the reality around her. The fact of the matter was, they were of different times. The old played on the side of caution to protect what was dear to them while the young pressed forward boldly to obtain what they desired. In time it was possible she would find herself in similar shoes as the forgotten hero, but she doubted it.

Her Master was correct in that he need not summon her for she floated at his side as silent as his faded shadow. Little light shown through the thick clouds above and the few lanters along the street did little to send shadows stretching for the horizon. All the better for someone like Eallyrl, light did her little favor when at work, unless it was candlelight that danced across her bared skin. Through the streets they walked, her footsteps somehow silent despite the puddles and water that flowed across the street. When Samhain spoke again, yet another grin was hidden within the shadows of her cowl.

”Oh, let use lure them out. Have you ever seen bait more delicious than me?” The line was borderline flirtatious, although Samhain was likely used to such things. Of course while her words often skirted that boundary between the two of them, her actions never came close. If he were to ever ask her about such things her answer was the same. He was the exception to the rule when it came to her desires and games she so often like to play with others. It was not born from any displeasure with his appearance or person; he was by all accounts a handsome man. As odd as it might be, her master was one creature she never felt attraction towards, not seriously at least. On the surface it might look like a slight against him, but the reason for it was not due to any fault with him. A playful and open girl in many regards, her relationship with Samhain was based on something far deeper than what she shared with those she spent her nights with, loyalty.

[Void]

"I shall do so." The elder spoke, his head dropping slightly in a sign of acknowledgement towards Samhain. Of course most who were able to bunker down in their homes were already there as they hid from the storms down torrent. The elder saw no point of adding the small comment however. The man who had come to visit them had little room for his rather large temper. As far as the elder was concerned if this man and his elf slave were as strong as they claimed to be then his people's worries would be lessened to some degree.

"Gift from the heavens indeed." He thought to himself with a weary look upon his face.

"Yes, the "Heavens" have made it clear as the rising sun after a storm where we stand, and it is not in their light. If they were truly sent by the heavens then the help they offer isn't one of which we should touch... but we shall see. I dare say they will not appear here once again, either from disgust or their own demise... either of which I could live with." He sighed softly before raising his free hand to wave off the two companions.

"Best of luck in your endeavor young ones." He spoke though there was little if any warmth in his tone. There would be no sadness to see them leave from his home, they were outsiders, not to mention very arrogant in their ways. Having lived as many years as Elion had crossed paths with many a person. Some brave, some not so much. Those that could steal candy from children and those who could seduce nuns. So many people he had the pleasure and displeasure of meeting through out his life. As he looked upon the two through the misty rain which fluttered into his vision he knew just what types of people they were.
----

As the two would travel out and away from the slums of the city they would be faced with two choices now. Since the city is bordered on different sides by the sea they would need to figure out exactly which side to search first; the eastern or western docks. Both sides can be searched but the more time is taken the more time the enemy will have to reinforce. Of course the party could always split up.