Fifth Adventure 04: The Choice

Archengeia wrote:It takes far too long but eventually Zeiss manages to gather all the group together. He holds out the crystal, which slowly hovers into the air and transforms into a see-through projection of a tall man wearing a long, featureless robe. You cannot see the color as the projection is colorless, but there is no face in the cowl, no hands in the sleeves, no substance in the cracks in the front.

At the sudden appearance of a strange, discolored floating man, Rory raises his axe in defense. "Who are you!?" he demands, "you back up right now!"

Zeiss turns to Rory.

"You can run away. It would be easier."

He returns his attention on the projection.

*Z does not appear to react, instead you see them smoothing down Andrei's hair as he snoozes peacefully against their shoulder.*

The cloak makes no reaction to anyone present. The voice coming out is... odd. It is completely normal, and yet at the same time you realize you cannot hear it at all, it is reverberating in your brain, not audibly, but mentally. "The Order has turned on you. You have been branded traitors, sent to foster war. This was done for politics, not cruelty, but the result is the same."

"Oh... frell..."

Zeiss's facial expression is frozen. He takes the piece of copper out of his bag.

"..."

Tabran says in a level voice.
"explain?"

Rory curiously pokes at the hovering man in an attempt to get him to back off while gaping at the statements being uttered.

"And who are you to be privy to this information?"

*their eyes narrow at the apparition.*

Kolson is just shocked. He really can't think of anything to say.

Rory's axe goes through the projection as though it was not there, and the cloak gives no reaction. "Clearing your names at the political table is your choice to make or break. As ordered, I returned your equipment to you, to aid in your journey. That one," the cloak's sleeve raises, completely empty, towards Hanuel, "Has impressed the master. I can put resources at your disposal to assist, but am of an understanding that you lack leadership or direction, and I have no interest in being bandied about."

"Ordered? Who is your master?"

*Z walks away from the group. Reaching in her pack she pulls out her copper coin and examines it.*

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"I have no reason to answer you," the mental voice returns to Zeiss.

Z:

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"Then what kind of equipment can we require from you?"

"what kind of help can you give us?"

Suddenly realizing that the apparition before him was nothing more than a messenger, Rory holsters his axe. "What interest would the Order have in causing a war?" he asked.

*Zeiss turns back to the group. Their tone brooks no arguments.*

"Zeiss get rid of that NOW. We're moving out. Our coins have a tracking function in them. They may have severed communication, but the need heads to put up in front of the people. They will be hunting us."

*they turns to the apparition.*

"If what you say is true. We need to be away from here now. We need to know where we are and this boy needs to get to safety he is not one of us nor does he have any part in this. There is a Woman and her infant daughter headed to Colier. I would see him join them. Can you help?"

"Well, then why are you talking to us then?" Kolson asks in genuine curiosity.

Zeiss had his coin in his hand.

"I already thought about that. Take it."

He throws it at Z.

The cloak pauses a moment. "I will no longer answer the greedy one," it says simply before turning towards Tabran. "I can assist in ways dependent upon you. I am not here to take over your group, unless you wish me to." It then turns towards Rory. "I am uncertain why a Human is here, most of your kind haven't left your shores yet. In any case you misunderstand, the Order is not behind the war. Other groups on the political field blamed the Order, who in turn shifted that blame to you to save the reputation of the whole. A calculated maneuver, if unnecessary and foolish."

Zeiss stares at the projection.

"Don't like people who desire power, huh?"

He crosses his arms and let the others talk.

Zeiss:

Spoiler:

"I have no reason to answer the Elf Zeiss' questions. They are inconsequential.

"Figures," Rory said, shaking his head. "Civilization at it's finest. But how do you know of my kin, and more importantly, where can we go that's safe? I have questions I know you can't answer, but I'd like to find someone who can."

The cloak turns towards Rory. "Your people are fine, they were arranged to be saved. They are safest where they are for now, until war reaches their shores. Past that, things get complicated."

Anger's appear on Zeiss's face.

Thoughts

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