Tales of the Exalted

The girls give up their compatriots to their Princess, but remain sullen as they await the judgement of the Solar Exalted.
A little more than half a dozen women had joined the cult after their husbands, sons or brothers had been sold into slavery to make up the missing portion of the village's taxes.

Once the women had given them all the information that they could, Callista called the group to meet before they went to see the elders. There seemed to be a myriad of things to consider and as much as she wanted to help the women, she also understood what they had done was wrong and had harmed many people.

”Before we meet with the Elders, I would like to hear everyone’s thoughts on this as well as anything else that may be relevant. I do not want to approach them without our understanding of each other clear, so that we do not appear to be a divided force. I value all of your opinions, so please do not hesitate to speak your minds fully,” she said as she looked around at the group. ”Not only must we investigate the Elder’s frivilous use of the village’s funds but also decide on a punishment for worshiper’s of the plague god. I am no sure if the loss of their husbands is fitting enough and I would like to look into that issues as well. A town without strong men to defend it is vulnerable.”

All together again without the 'prisoners,' they could talk amongst themselves openly, though Ruby didn't have much to say, this whole thing was way above her usual pay grade.

"Fair enough, but what would we do to them that isn't already happening? They've lost their husbands, and are afflicted with whatever this disease is. I don't know what kind of reparations they can make in their state, or if we can even get them to. The defenders problem is something else. We can conscript locally, or have some of the Khal's soldiers come. This place has to look like a desirable place to stay to get them to stay, and the sickness ain't helping that."

The sickness in this town runs deeply. If we resolve the worship of the disease spirit then the disease of the opium remains. I would like to give mercy to all, but it is only a matter of time until debt is incurred again and this plays out as another tragedy.

I say we speak nothing to the Elders yet. We still have the accord with the river god to attend to. I would rather have the Elders compliant to resolving that issue. If they cannot or will not make those amends, then perhaps our punishment to them will be sufficient to resolve that issue as it stands.
All things begin equal though, I would see the Elders removed. If they are not competent to manage the towns affairs, then they do not deserve the position.

As for the women – they have suffered greatly, but they cannot go unpunished. They should be the ones to tear down their alter- If the disease spirit is unhappy, let it dole out what remaining strength it has – on the town or on those that tear town its font of power. Either party would be reaping what they had sown.

Eida stood by quietly. His outburst earlier had been unexpected, and he needed to keep himself reserved. Donovan was likely moving to far into an extreme area, wanting to let Cachectin wreak havoc on the town as the shrine was dismantled. He and Jaeda would make sure that it did not come to that if necessary, but he wanted Callista to come to her own conclusion. He was there to help her grow as a leader. He had to be able to take on the invisible consequences of her decision so that she would grow more confident in her role.

Cion cut another small piece off of the pear he had snatched from the kitchen. One thing could be said about Terenuthis; their fruit fulfilled its legendary reputation. ”The women will find new husbands, they always do. Send some unattached soldiers from the capitol and they will forget they even had any in the first place,” he shrugged. Politics weren’t much of his concern, as he always avoided court back home whenever he could. Unless it involved dancing and festivities anyways. ”Unless you would like me to take care of the Elders in a more permanent way, I have nothing helpful to add there. For what it is worth, it seems a touch foolish to strike a deal with the elders and then remove them after.”

Callista sighed but was glad to hear the opinions of the group, at least most of it. The Lunar was a cat again and dozing in the corner, or maybe she was like all cats and listening all along. Eida was silent, and she wasn’t sure what that meant. He either was confident in her decisions, unopinionated or still assuming a role of a lesser. The latter possibility worried her the most, as it would from any of her companions now that they were the Unconquered Sun’s chosen.

”We cannot allow the plague god to gain any more power by letting it to continue to terrorize the town. Not only that, but I don’t see his wrath affecting only the guilty parties, there are innocents here to consider as well and I will not see them suffer for the crimes of only few. Still, requiring the women to dismantle the shrine may be a fitting punishment seeing that they have already suffered.” Letting the god do as it pleased did not sound like a wise decision and it was cruel to even consider allowing the town to suffer any longer by its hand. ”As for the men sold into slavery, it’s not just about replacing able bodied men. If it was, the women wouldn’t have acted so rashly. I understand recalling them may prove to be impractical, but I would still like to look into it.” Callista knew what it was like to lose someone that she cared about and she felt sorry for both the families who had been broken up but she also understood the practicality of the situation. They would have to buy back the men or demand their release, assuming they could even be found. One step at a time she told herself.

”I think much more can be resolved upon meeting with the Elders and requesting their take on the story. We still still have no proof that they spent the jade on opium or that they sold them men into slavery. If anyone has an idea on how we can get this, I am open to suggestions,” she glanced around the room. Callista knew the warriors weren’t likely able to obtain that information indirectly but she did consider the sleeping feline could change into smaller forms, although she wasn’t sure if Jillian would know what she was looking for.

I can try to by some o the opium. They more'n likely won't talk to you, but I'm just a servant. Even if they have none left, it'd be a different reaction then if they never had any at all....

Eida could not help but like the squire's enthusiasm. It was almost endearing, in a dangerous way. Donovan should hold a better lead over her at times like this.

"Then while attendance is held, and possibly again during an attempted buy off, I will examine their ledger room. They should have records of funds and expenses, or a writ from the kingdom secreted away in their council room. Unfortunately, the transaction of the slaves will be nearly impossible to recover fully. If this is truly a village corruption, bringing up new leadership from the citizenry may be called for, and in the best interests of the town and river."

Callista smiled at Mercy’s enthusiasm ”Knowing that they have it is a start, but possessing or even selling opium isn’t particularly illegal in the Khal’s realm. Just be careful and do not try to push them too hard. I would appreciate if someone stayed nearby to ensure they do not try anything,” she looked over in the direction of the two redheads, both had proven capable, alert and quick moving if needed.

”Do not worry, I will watch our knight-to-be incase she decides to become a damsel in distress,” he winked at Mercy.

That brought her to Eida’s offer, which made her a touch nervous after the incident with the raptors. Callista knew he was very skilled in moving silently, possibly even better than Sanjuro (who was either absent or merely concealed again) and had faith that he would know exactly what kind of evidence she needed. Even so, she did not feel comfortable sending him alone even with Jaeda who unfortunately attracted a lot of attention, but certainly did not trust the Azuma to guide him again. ”I feel confident that you can accomplish this task alone, but I would like Jillian to accompany you. She can get into places normal people cannot, and even the quietest of shadows could use someone looking behind them,” she said, hoping Eida would not take it as a slight to his skills. They were a team now, a complete Circle as Rebekah had put it and that meant working together. In the corner, the white cat's eye opened to a bright green sliver and Callista could have sworn she smirked, if cats could do so.

”Donovan, I would like your counsel during the meeting. You were there personally when the river God aired his grievances and spent much time serving Warmaster Bryn. Even as his interpreter you learned much. This may be a Terenuthis affair but I look on your words as an equal, not a servant. You, Rebekah and May will accompany me if the others do not return by then.” Formal engagements may or may not have been Rebekah’s strong point, but Callista knew her to have an assessing eye and between her, May and Donovan the princess felt perfectly safe from any sort of foul play the Elders may try if this went badly.

Donovan nodded. He looked forward to hearing what these Elders had to say. A tentative plan was good, but it could not be allowed to cloud their view of the situation when additional evidence became available.

The role of translator was only my most recent appointment. I commanded a garrison prior to that. Administering good order and discipline, mediating disputes and working with the bureaucrats, although less glamorous then being arrayed with banners, made up the majority of my duties. he gave a sideways smile at no one in particular but his own thoughts. Of course there was a manual for that. There is still the Khal's law, but if the law is unjust and does more harm then good, then is it their place to re-write it? Hmmm....

"Sounds like a way to pass the time. I'm up for it. You seem to handle yourself on your own just fine, so I'll be supporting you. And if it gets stupid, well, sure." Sitting around with stuffy greedy assholes? Ruby hoped that they would be in and out quickly. Besides, if they were a corrupt problem, the others may be right, it would be easier to bring in new leadership that understands the place better.

"As you say Princess. When everything begins, we will make our way to find what we can." Eida did not know much about the lunar, and having someone else working with him would b...different. However, with her unique abilities, she could very well get into places that even he would have difficulty. Callista was thinking about specific skill sets now, and utilizing what she knows about each of them relatively well. Now he just needed to find their vulnerabilities to protect them from the unknown factors.

The three approached the Elder’s building and Donovan introduced themselves, not that it was necessary.
Elders. We, the chosen of the sun and the representatives of Khal Shono have met with the river god next to your town. It is displeased with the braking of agreements with time past. We have agreed with it to mediate between you and it. You will come with us to the river presently.


It didn’t matter how long it took them to prepare to depart, Donovan had no intention of less than all of the Elder’s being present. The journey to the river should afford Jill and Eida enough time to gather whatever information they needed unmolested.

The caretaker who opened the door looked at Donovan and nearly forgot himself, stifling a laugh.
A pair of elderly men regarded the Solars with eyes glassed over with the effects of their vice.
A trio more could be seen within. Two looked very ill, the third seemed to have passed out on the floor.
"Tell the Khal he can fuck himself." one of the men giggled.
"The Unconquered Sun abandoned us years ago." the other said somberly. It was clear neither man was in their right mind, the drug pumping through their veins.

Donovan pushed his way in past the caretaker and examined the sorry excuse for leaders. The drug wasn't illegal, nor was the state they were in. All of them being incapacitated at once was a brazen example of the incompetence they had suspected. But he would not tolerate their disrespect. With in his voice asserted
The Unconquered Sun has not abandoned you, and you have not been given leave to blaspheme; nor are you free of your debt to Terenuthis or the Khal.
The effort was no doubt overkill and perhaps even wasted here, but it would not do to set a precedence of being less than what they were, especially at the first town they had come across.

Suddenly the whole room noticed the young Knight. The sick, the stoned and the servants alike all paid him regard as if he was something magnificent. Some glimmer of hope and respect returned to their town.
"Who are you?" one of the men inquired, his dilated eyes doing their best to push past the fog of the poison. One of the sick began to sob.
"Terenuthis is dead. Our debts to the Khal saw to that." one of the men in the back said soberly.
"Pisaurus sent him to punish us." another woman spoke up. "That's what he said." a few of the elders regarded her a moment and turned back to him to see if it was true.

You have indeed angered Pisaurus, however we are not here to punish. Though it seems you have much repenting to do. Promises have not been kept, either by design or ignorance. We will mediate between you and the river god. Shake off your drugs. Rouse yourselves. You have an appointment at the river come twilight.

The princess had a difficult time hiding her disgust at the clear inhibition of the Elders. Donovan seemed to say what needed to be said but these were her people.

”Terenuthis will live so long as my heart still beats, the Khal’s memory is short because he has only taken up residence there recently but my ancestors speak through me and I remember a day when those of the kingdom were wise and proud. They would not be senseless enough to ignore things such as the proper worship of the Gods that oversee their lands. Donovan speaks the truth, we were not sent to punish you by Pisaurus but do not assume that means we will not deal out justice as we see fit. Sober up, as I am sure you would all benefit from having your minds straight for this meeting. If any of you so much as attempt to shirk your duties or leave before tonight, I will have my companions bring you back here using any means they see fit.”

Callista didn’t wait for an answer. It saddened her to see the people of her kingdom in such a state of disgrace and she didn’t want to be in their presence any longer than necessary. What made it even more disturbing was that they were not far from the capitol and she worried how far this feeling of unrest went in her people. The princess turned and headed back to the inn to wait on the others, hoping that they would have some good news.

Eida and Silver were sitting inside at a table. A plate of food half eaten between the two of them as Callista and the others walked in. Their table was not sullen awkward silence as it would have been before, but a quiet conversation between the two was taking place as they clearly waited. Noone sat anywhere near Eida after the scene that happened the night before, but service was also not denied him.

They talk ended almost naturally as the others walked in as the two pairs of eyes fell on the diplomats. The sorcerer gestured that they should join him at the table as he stood up and waited, holding a wrapped parcel of his gathered evidence at his side.