[Intro, closed] I think, therefore I kill

[Javen Vyta]

Amazed at the works around him, Javen worked to keep his awe at bay. Two things impressed Javen more then anything else - power and coin - and he had no doubt this fortress was home to both - and plenty of each.

You are supposed to know that place best, or else it defeats the purpose of hiring you. Certainly, Javen knew Zeltira, well enough. But still, the proposition felt wrong the way it was put. It insinuated more knowledge then Javen was comfortable with this Lector having. He wondered, only for a moment, what Lector knew of him already. Perhaps some sorcery had read his mind - surely that would prove ruinous if it was the case. It was difficult to say, but the possibility was unsettling.

And perhaps the Nuit represented an opportunity for him? He knew painfully little of them, but it stood to reason with him that if they were immune to most poisons, then they might well be immune to most diseases as well.

On one hand this was perplexing. He had a mission in being here, among an island of people who appeared to be immune to the more traditional applications of the Blight.

More will come in time, he coached himself.

Golems that spoke and thought - that was truly amazing. 'I wonder if there is a person in these creations?' he thought.

Yes, that was a mystery. And moreover, he should have asked how someone may become one of these undead - that would have served him well indeed.

Unable to discern a location from which the voice came, Javen was perplexed momentarily. Resigning to the awkwardness of addressing an unseen greeter, Javen faced forward. Bowing with a formal respect, Javen addressed it as he would anyone else of appreciable station. Certainly this supervisor was not the equal of Lector, but this aside, it still deserved a measure of respect.

"Supervisor Drainira, I am Martus Gaulpe, a healer of the sick and wounded, and I am pleased to meet your acquaintance. You call me Martus, if it suits you."

That being said, he straightened himself and attempted to assume a more dignified posture, despite his aching sides and weary back. Guile was anxious to get out of his pouch, but Javen was hesitant to let him loose - fearful some mouse-catcher golem would devour him.

His paranoia gnawed at him from all sides, as did the sickness. His coughing spasms began, as if on que, but with restraint, he suppressed them as he was forced to sit back down.

[Ialari Pythone]

So, the wizard took meaning from her words that was not there. In doing so, he answered another, unspoken question. The answer was, no, he did not know much about the living. The wizard underestimated Ialari in thinking that she sought information on how to destroy his kind. While obviously superior in his skill with manipulating Djed, Lector Qiao was weak in his ability to interact with the living; a tool that Ialari could use if the need ever arose. At the mention of capturing one of his kind and experimenting with it; a thoughtful look flashed across her face as a brief image formed in her mind; that of a human and a nuit bound in a laboratory and being subjected to all manner of poison for the sake of research and greater understanding of poisons themselves.

She pondered her own thoughts and fantasies as Qiao continued with his answers to the various questions posed to him. As the wagon rolled on and the walls came into view, Ialari napped herself out of her musings and couldn't help but feel more than a little impressed by the architecture. Though it lacked the luster and expertise that she was used to seeing in Sultros, some amount of silent respect was still given. She did note that they could use some care however and was modestly offended by the lack of maintenance.

When the wagon stopped at the portcullis and Qiao spoke to seemingly nobody in particular, Ialari was amazed at the echoed response from some unknown source. The voice introduced itself with the name Ialari heard before. So Drainira was the citadel and the citadel was itself a golem? Such a concept was out there but considering what she had seen so far, Ialari was surprised but not shocked. Her studious nature was right there beside her though and the idea of this ancient citadel having sentience and being able to speak opened up a whole new level of opportunity.

When asked by the citadel for her name, Ialari responded in the common tongue but with her thick, Isurian accent, Greetings, Supervisor Drainira. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is, Ialari Pythone." She wasn't sure what else to say as it felt a little odd speaking to a building so Ialari waited as the wagon began moving once more.

[Akuaysun]

While Lector Qiao labeled Akuaysun as a man interested in only worthless things, Aku had just learned that his entire reason for visiting the island was a waste. Originally he thought that perhaps these creatures would have carried a direct link to Dira and through them he could quickly return to his home in Ukalas. Instead they owed their existence to another god, and it turn would likely do little in the way of helping him. Such was the gamble when he had chosen south to follow rumors instead of heading directly to Taloba.

One to keep an open mind however, the youngish looking Myrian sat in silence for the rest of the journey to the keep. He had nothing else to say to the man, having already learned what he needed. Anything beyond that was worthless at this point; he would ask questions and fulfill his requirements then be on his way. Personally a strong distaste for rotting corpses was forming. Hopefully they would not all share this fellows distaste for anything that he did not have express control of.

As for the others it mattered not to him. The beggars would keep his short term attention and the Akvatari had his long term. With luck he could have little issue for the remainder and be upon his way. Aku hadn’t expected things to move so quickly, but at least now he had his information. Whatever else lay in this island was second to that. Depending even on where this little excursions final destination laid, he might part ways with them as soon as they returned to Zeltiva.

Something piqued his interest as they neared the compound however. The way it was carved and etched, the details of the craftsmanship not to mention the sheer size of the building it was magnificent, an architectural wonder to say the least. Then as the voice spoke from everywhere and nowhere within the citadel, a single word slipped from Aku’s dark thick lips. “Amazing.” It was barely a mutter beneath soft breath but any that saw the bulge of his eyes could tell the Ethaefal was in a state of awe.

Only when the others began to speak did the hoe wielding warrior come fully back to the plane of reality. He listened as the others introduced themselves taking careful notes to add to his mental dossier of the group. Martus Gaulpe the healer, an interesting thought, obviously not a proficient one in his current state of health and further not very likely considering all things. Likely a lie… why did mortals feel the urge to be something they were not. Ialari Pythone, a name almost too fitting for one interested so deeply in poison. Aku made a mental note to research these Isur more when he had time, they seemed to dedicate themselves to something and never stray far from it. Argis had been much the same way.

It seemed fitting that he keep the order from before and respond next in turn, the slight pause between speakers more then enough for Aku to take cue. “I am Akuaysun, Lector Qiao informs me that you and I think on parallels Drainira. I have not seen a structure like this in quite some time… Are you Alahean in composition?” It was amazing to see something so large, just on the outer scale; it must have been Pre-Valterrian in design and construction. If his hunch was correct it would speak of just how long these men had been at work and how they had first come about. The Suvan had always carried a strong military tradition, and held more land to draw from, but the Alahean had long traditions in magics. Perhaps this trip was not a complete loss after all…

[Chaelnomyl]

The box in which Chaelnomyl had been unwittingly placed would have, truthfully, mattered very little to the Akvatari. She listened intently as the man gave his replies; the one to Javen having been guessed fairly easily. Lector’s thoughts on Ialari’s question was also an easy inference. An inward smile completely concealed beneath a sheet of melancholy existence was not expressed – but rather inferred, or thought, by the Akvatari as Akuaysun received his response. Dira. From their little excursion in Ravok, she had quite the guess at why the Ethaefal had inquired about it, but again… nothing to be said. No comments to be made. She was not a woman of idle banter in the least.

If there was something to respect about the Nuit society there on Sahova, it was that they seemed to have very few laws. Laws that consisted of “stay away from me, I enjoy personal space” and “be respectful, I’m more important than you”. Well, she’d let them believe that. For now. Perhaps they could prove it in a bit when they reached their destination. Chaelnomyl’s eyes merely acknowledged him before dropping off into oblivion and distance once more, even as Dranquay’s own statement was addressed.

However, something attracted her attention as they approached the citadel. The magnificence of the ingenuity as it blended with the mountainside sparked the Akvatari’s hands into small movements as she traced them on the wagonside, as if attempting to commit the scene to memory. Perhaps one day she could paint Sahova, and show the world that while it was terrifying to most in the sense of the Nuit, it had some architectural feats that were quite impressive. Not that she’d ever express that though any medium other than the canvas, though. The explosion’s remnants perplexed Chaelnomyl and she focused on them gradually in the distance even as Lector commanded Drainira to open the gates. The name sparked a connection in her mind, as it was the same name that Qiao had used when speaking to Akuaysun on who he might relate to better than the Nuit himself.

And she couldn’t locate Drainira’s voice. Her mouth thinned ever so slightly and her eyes narrowed gradually as they scanned the scene, peered over the wagon, and failed miserably at locating this “Drainira”. The Citadel itself further indicated that it was both a golem in charge of the daily occurrences of the place… and the citadel itself. Odd. Further, the building was asking for their names. Despite the awkwardness of speaking to a building, Chaelnomyl waited patiently for the opportunity to speak to the supervisor. From one artist to another, she couldn’t help but mention Drainira’s design.

First Martus Gaulpe introduced himself, the sickly healer that somehow mended the sick and wounded but could not mend himself. Chaelnomyl thought Martus Gaulpe needed to pick a different occupation because no one would want to be seen by a healer that was sick himself. How peculiar. The land bound were so… confusing. The second to give their name was Ialari Pythone, the Isur. Straight and to the point… Then Akuaysun, who asked something that was once more foreign to the Akvatari’s ears: she had no idea what Alahean meant, but banked it away in her mind to research later. Perhaps it was some form of old world construction and art, and would be very valuable if replicated… and would make her a world renowned painter. Perhaps she should speak to him about that later. If there was a later.

Eventually came the Akvatari’s turn. Her voice contained no inflection of note, though the comment was nevertheless respectful. ”I must commend your construction, Supervisor Drainira. It is quite… eye catching.” She quickly added, ”I am called Chaelnomyl, Supervisor Drainira.” There was a hidden spur of wonder and muted delight – very muted delight. Delight to Chaelnomyl was a yawn to the other races. Nevertheless… Her wings had given but one quick buzz and her flippers had flexed ever so slightly in response to the observation of the Citadel… which, notably, her gaze had once again returned to at the end of her reply to the speaking building. How odd to make a building out of a golem. Or a golem out of a building. Either or, it didn’t make a lick of sense – but there was no denying that it was rather interesting to look at through the eye of the melancholy artist.

[Dranquay]

Wisest then to know when to say nothing, Dranquay mused…but then to say nothing would have been its own message, would it not? He did indeed therefore say nothing now. Dranquay had made his point and received acknowledgement in return, there was no need to add further comment. This was in part because of the impressive symbol of pre-cataclysm technology and engineering that appeared before them, the gigantic gates that swept up the Akvatari’s attention as a symbol not only of power, but also of decision.

Curious, then, that the Nuit had not repaired the gates… but it would be a mistake, Dranquay decided, to regard the lack of repair as a sign of weakness on the Nuit’s part. Perhaps after all they had occurred they simply did not feel anything outside threatened them? That could not be the case though as they clearly did not know what an Akvatari was and whilst Dranquay’s people were not as old as the Isur they were none the less hardly only fifty years old.

Very curious, it left the Akvatari wondering why the Nuit despite all their seeming ability with the Djed and their skill at engineering, were so ignorant of the outside world. Thusly sea-green eyes studied the gates with an intent that saw beyond them into socio-political questions as the air echoed and those eyes widened. There was a certain casual humanity about the soul that seemed to enfuse the gates which jarred with the Nuit Lector and suggested yet more questions. Was it a mistake to judge the Nuit by Lector Qiao? Or to judge it by Supervisor? Generalisation from lack of information was very dangerous to Dranquay’s analytical mind. After all one did not experiment with the Void or any kind of Djed without information or hypothesis, why then do the same with social situations?

Dranquay decided as the others replied to it that he didn’t have enough information to make a judgement yet, about very much at all. Still, from what Qiao had said to the sickly one, they were here to return the Golem, not to be studied…necessarily. He would have to wait for involvement with other Nuit before deciding more.

When he turn came to speak though Dranquay had listened to the Supervisor’s response to Akuaysun’s question with interest, marking the educated inquiry once more issuing forth from a warrior’s mouth as an oddity, despite his disagreement on Aku’s earlier points of philosophy. Thusly his own response was measured…but also aware that he was being watched by more than judge the Supervisor…there was Qiao and the other presences too.

“I am called Dranquay. I gather you are not simply…ordered, having asked for the most interesting. You do not have much contact with mainlanders?”

He mused gently, struggling for a word for the way many golems worked using very limited sets of capabilities. Yet the very idea of a golem being capable of the concept of interest had already marked it out in Dranquay’s mind as an entity as important as Qiao…stunningly so. Was this a golem or a soul enfused into the essence of the building? So many, many questions to try and understand his situation better and so few he dared ask.

[Tarot]

Qiao stood silent as the vehicle strolled through the portcullis, though there was a slight shift in the way he carried himself. He was slightly less rigid now. He was home. He probably was not feeling entirely comfortable around the docks or in the open air. This man must be a total control freak... and he rarely if ever left the citadel, this much was obvious. Dead as he may be, he had not completely shed what had once made him human.

The portcullis descended again a few seconds after they had passed - definitely too late to go back now. In front of them lay the inner walls and a second iron gate. In between was a large inner courtyard that had once been well cared for, but had since been allowed to go wild. Vegetation had claimed many of the statues that flanked the path, and the place had grown a mantle of weeds. Obviously today's Sahova was but a shadow of the place it had been designed to be. The statues seemed to portray ancient rulers and people of importance. A particularly massive one, a crowned man carrying what looked like an elaborate gauntlet with the insignia of Alahea, seemed to have been sculpted in greater detail than the rest. The inscription, partly covered by rampant ivy, read "Kovinus the Wise".

Even though Qiao had gone silent, Drainira's ethereal voice seemed eager to converse. "Well met, Mr. Gaulpe... Martus. This is my first time seeing a healer since the cataclysm. They had some here while this place was being constructed, but we haven't needed any ever since... for obvious reasons."

"Greetings to you, Ms. Pythone. It is good to be able to talk in a friendly setting. Before the Valterrian, most Isur were enemies of ours. We had an entire research program running elsewhere to discover the secrets of those marvellous arms your kind possess." Drainira did not mention how said arms were separated from the bodies of any Isurian war prisoners and cryo-stored for examination. Those times were long past.

Akuaysun's remark elicited a slightly more excited response from the Supervisor. "Yes, indeed, Mr. Akuaysun! I am Alahean, or I should say, I was." "You still are. We all are," Qiao interjected for the first time, still looking forward. "Of course, Master Qiao," she immediately corrected herself. Technically, Drainira was still "equipment" and hence occupied a lower rank than any of the staff. It was only thanks to the Archwizard that she managed to have her desires satisfied.

"At any rate, I am the fourth and last of my kind, Mr. Akuaysun. And I, who was never born to begin with, do appear to be the only lover of life amidst a citadel of undead. I thank the gods for being able to appreciate the irony of it."

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Chaelnomyl. You and your brother do not match any shape in my memory," said Drainira, not explaining how she had reached the conclusion that Chael and Dranquay were siblings. "I probably find you more fascinating than you do me. Your being here in front of me proves that life will win over even the wanton destruction of the Valterrian."

"You are very correct, Mr. Dranquay," she added as the vehicle stopped in front of the inner gate. Beyond this one was the mountain itself, and they were marching into its depths. "I try to seize any opportunity to meet new people from the mainland. I need it for my personal growth, you see. Most golems are made the standard way - their creator teaches them what they need to know beforehand. That's the fast way, but it's also a cap on your potential: you will never progress past what your creator taught you. But those like me are different. We learn from others like people of flesh and blood. And we always enjoy a good chat with interesting people."

The wagon was slowly swallowed by the mountain. "Enough of that," said Qiao. "Your report on our visitors, Drainira." There was a slight pause resembling a sigh. "Yes, Master Qiao."

"Aura scan was completed successfully. There is a 78% probability of Mr. Gaulpe having provided a false name. Also, based on my medical records, his life expectancy should not exceed five years despite his claim to be a healer."

"I compared Ms. Pythone's Isurian arm against the signature of one Salvari Pythone in my memory bank. Their signatures match, but I found an unknown component to Ms. Pythone's arm, as well. Probably the result of some magic cast on it."

"Mr. Akuysun has the strangest aura I have ever seen. There is a 85% probability of him being a shapeshifter of some kind. Moreover, his aura has been marked by a powerful visitor, most likely a Journeyman from Saqqria. He has probably been selected as a future prey."

"Finally, there is a 99% probability of Ms. Chaelnomyl and Mr. Dranquay being siblings. Their aura patterns are so similar, though, that they were most likely related in their latest lives, as well. Or lovers. It is hard to compute with certainty."

Qiao shrugged. All of that was utterly irrelevant to him. Whether they lived or died was of zero importance to him. "They are pretty messed up. Do you call that 'interesting', Drainira?" "No, Master Qiao, I call it 'being alive'," the golem spoke back right away.

[Chaelnomyl]

The response of the Citadel itself was interesting, though Chaelnomyl was quite distracted by the statues that surrounded the path they were now proceeding through after the portcullis had closed. The inner courtyard was not well cared for anymore, though she could still see a beauty in the wild that had claimed the statues in much the same way time and destruction had claimed the life this land – and likely Drainira – once knew. The statutes – at least, what she could see of them – were important people and their details were something to be admired. The largest one caught her eye; he carried an insignia she did not recognize but the details on that particular one were intricate enough that the timid painter could do nothing but stare. Kovinus the Wise. Chaelnomyl wondered idly who he had been and of what kind of people he had come from. Perhaps Sahova had been different in the days before it had become the lifeless shell she now found it to be.

Qiao’s interjection in response to something Drainira had said briefly drew her from the distant world she was in, somewhere lost in the depths of her mind. Alahean. Chaelnomyl mused over the meaning of the word and found none, but apparently Akuaysun knew it and Qiao was it, as was Drainira. As was the building, but that was also Drainira. How confusing these Alahean people must have been. It was quickly after this exchange that Drainira addressed Chaelnomyl herself and her eyes flicked about her, still unsure as to where to look when speaking with the Citadel itself. Her thinned lips twitched upward in a half smile ever so slightly as she began to stare out into the distance again. Interesting that Drainira had connected Dranquay and herself as siblings. Even more interesting was that they were of high interest to the living building itself, who was so obsessed with life despite having never lived it as they had. She nodded slightly in reply, almost tempted to ask the construction how she was made and of her history, but refraining as she moved on to her brother’s question.

So it could learn. Even more interesting. Chaelnomyl watched the scenery change and stared off into the distance as she allowed Drainira’s voice to filter through her ears, still completely unsure of what to think of it. At least it enjoyed chatting. As the mountain approached, Qiao spoke again and asked for a report. She looked about herself again half instinctively as the advanced machinery began to… give… reports.

There is a 78% probability of Mr. Gaulpe having provided a false name. Chaelnomyl’s eyes shot across to Javen, half smile completely erased. She did not express anger, explicitly, just merely watched him with growing distaste. Her assumptions that he was a rat were now being verified by something far more capable than herself. Something capable of scanning Auras. It also said he was going to die in five years despite that he was supposedly a healer. Well, that was ironic in itself. Drainira must have had some humor to her.

Chaelnomyl began to stare off again as it analyzed Ialari Pythone’s arms, which idly the Akvatari found awkward. Arms could tell much about that particular race? She had no idea. Apparently Ialari was able to cast magic, or had magic cast on her too. The winged woman gave no indication of interest in the least to Drainira’s statements about Ialari though, as it was not as irking as Javen, or well, “Galupe” and his own exposed web of lies.

Drainira continued by commenting that Akuaysun was a shapeshifter of some kind and had been selected for future prey by a “journeyman” from a place she’d never heard of. The Akvatari threw the Ethaefal a glance of curiousity, having deduced he was something of a shapeshifter from what she had known previously from their meeting in Ravok. It was of little consequence, though she had grown fond of the man’s philosophical enlightenments that night and would find it slightly disheartening if he were to be killed. Hopefully prey did not mean death. However, if he was such an advanced shapeshifter, Chaelnomyl half suspected the barbaric form he had taken now to hold more than simple skin changes and display. She expected brute strength and tempers. And she also expected not to be around when that happened. Hopefully.

Although, the most disturbing statement by far that Drainira had made was about Chaelnomyl herself, and her brother Dranquay. 99% probability that they were siblings. Well, of course. Way to state the obvi…ous…

The Akvatari’s eyes darted from the distant nothingness she had been staring off into back to her brother and then as if trying to find Drainira herself to give her a questionable glance. Either they had been siblings before or they had been lovers? Her nose wrinkled ever so slightly but her mouth did not move. Eyes narrowed quietly and her hands remained still. Before Chaelnomyl could mention anything to her brother of how absolutely weird that was, Qiao interjected that they were messed up and Drainira stated it was not interesting, it was being alive. Well. At least they had that going for them…

Finding Drainira pleasant enough, Chaelnomyl spoke up to the citadel, still staring off into space as there was no face for her to actively look at in the midst of “the entire building is the golem” as a rule. ”If you would like a name to go with our shape then, Drainira,” She responded, remembering that the Golem had commented they matched nothing in her memory bank, ”We are called Akvatari.”

A long moment passed thereafter where the woman said nothing and hardly moved, mulling over the information the golem had just provided in her head. Finally, though, she saw it fit to comment on it to her “brother”. Inclining her head in the direction of her brother ever so slightly, Chaelnomyl sighed and commented indifferently, ”I sincerely hope that we were siblings in a previous life, Dranquay. I could not imagine the awkwardness of the latter option.” And then she continued to stare on past everyone in the wagon, out towards the distance instead of the mountain that was presently swallowing them.

[Ialari Pythone]

As the wagon continued forth; portcullis descending behind them, Ialari watched on as the group entered the large courtyard. She couldn't help but get a little excited at seeing all of the weeds and plant growth covering the walls and scattered statues. She was certain that there were all manner of source material that would work amazingly well in a variety of poisons. The statues themselves appeared as though they may have once been a pleasing sight with some amount of craftsmanship in their design; especially the larger once of the gauntleted-man.

Drainira's conversations were a bit cryptic and interesting at times. Ialari noted the comments about a supposed healer among them. The two odd-looking members of the group; the barely humanoid ones, still intrigued and disturbed Ialari yet she also couldn't help wondering how they would react to certain toxins. The other human-looking man with them was still something of a mystery but not one Ialari was concerned with unraveling at the moment. Drainira's greeting was both angering and curious at the same time. The idea of a research program that experimented on Isur for their arms was something that sent a chill throughout Ialari's body. Her black, silver-veined fist clench with the slight sound of stone and metal grinding as the muscles tightened. Her desire to perform her own experiments upon the unliving of the island grew at that moment. Keeping her composure, Ialari responded politely to Drainira but in a tone that brought images to the minds of the living of a snake slowly slithering across the forest floor as it creeps up upon a potential meal, "Yes, indeed we are lucky that we can speak on better terms now."

Ialari had never been one to hold any great love for many members of her race. Her clan wasn't exactly popular among the others in Sultros. They saw the Pitrius clan as dabbling in the taboo and forbidden; acts that asked for corruption and destruction from within. If not for the clan's magical influence and connections; not to mention spies and infiltrators, they would probably be cut-off from the kingdom. As it were, Clan Pitrius was too dangerous to be brushed away and too powerful to not have as an ally. Regardless of how her and her clan were viewed by the others of her kind, the idea of outsiders experimenting on them simply because of their divine gift from the god, Izurdin, infuriated Ialari. How dare these pathetic echoes of life, empty shells of false strength think that they could treat an Isur like a lab experiment. The irony of this did not dawn on her that she too considered those not like her to be just as expendable.

The wagon continued on and soon delved into the mountain; bringing on a feeling at least something more like home. When Qiao called for a "report" on the visitors, Ialari became even more unsettled; she had to resist grabbing a hold of part of the wagon and splintering it in the palm of her hand. If she weren't so angry at the audacity, she would have laughed at the idea of being treated like some type of experiment.

She listened to the disembodied voice provide odd bits of information on each of the people volunteering for the mission. So, one of the humans was a liar; not a surprise. The fact that he was going to die soon was pretty common for humans. They were so fragile as it was but five years did seem a little soon, especially for one claiming to be a healer.

Her own report almost did it. Ialari found a miza in a pocket of her robe and crushed it with her hand; grinding until it could no longer be identified as ever having been anything useful. The hollow bastards must have captured and experimented on one of her ancestors. The part about magic being cast on her arm didn't do a lot to disrupt her anger. She had spent a good amount of time at the Silver Tower back home and could have easily picked up some residual Djed from various experiments going on throughout the facility. She took a deep breath and tried to remind herself why she was there. There was much to learn even if it were from a bunch of animated corpses feigning sentience. That should be her focus and she tried to move her thoughts in that direction.

As Drainira continued, Ialari tried to listen. The other human was most likely a shapeshifter of some sort. Perhaps a Kelvic? She hadn't much experience with Kelvics but maybe he could be one. The whole bit about his aura being marked and his selection as prey was rather interesting. Ialari, though still fighting back her anger, gave a thought or two about what sort of poison it would take to force a shapeshifter to transform.

The two oddities, Akvatari, Ialari heard one of them refer to themselves as, were related. That part was not all that unusual however the part of about them perhaps being lovers in a past life was slightly amusing and helped to take Ialari's mind off her anger a bit.

Qiao's comment that they all were "pretty messed up" was slightly amusing to her after the reports that were given about the others. Then, coming from something that had obviously been dead for quite some time and obviously had little real knowledge of life and the living, it was even funnier. As with most Isur, her anger served to fueled her feeling of superiority. From the looks of things, she of course was the only truly "normal" one out of the entire bunch.

[Javen Vyta]

Javen gawked at the Drainira's comments on the auras, but found a distracting solace in the reports it made of the others.

The Isur was a wizard - this thought was disturbing. A wicked bit of magic had left him int he state he was in, and mages on the whole seem evil as a group. For some reason, though, he didn't find the fact that these undead were mages particularly offsetting. Maybe it was the power of magic in the hands of mortals that frightened him. He perplexed a moment over the hypocritical nature of it all, but found that he feared this Isur now - and he inwardly disliked her already.

The Myrian was a shapeshifter - now that was disturbing, and played him as a bit of a liar. Yes, Javen supposed he had never asked the man if he was a shapeshifter, but concealing the fact was akin to a lie. Moreover, it meant he was much more dangerous then previously thought.

As for the other creatures - and that is all that they truly were - creatures, they were siblings and lovers. This made a certain amount of sense. Animals bore little reservation with mating with their blood kin, it made sense these creatures would do the same. They were at least two parts animal to one part human, after all.

Perhaps a small ration of truth was necessary in all of this. In a self-confessing tone, Javen looked to Lector and nodded, "My birth name was Javen. It was given to me by parents who left me in the care of another when I was stricken with sickness. I do not care to use it any longer. As for being a healer, were I not competent as a healer - I would be dead by now. Also, I have a pet mouse, in my belt pouch, which you no doubt already know, and his name is Guile. Now, putting this aside, I am ready to move forward with our work, with your consent, Mr. Qiao."

Javen wheezed heavily, having said this, and pulled Guile from his pouch, holding the mouse softly in his hand while he rummaged for some bread he had saved from the ship to feed him. He looked around at the others with a measure of guilt at the exposed duplicity, but knew this was the closest any of them would come to getting an apology from him.

[Akuaysun]

“And they were sent into the tiger’s den, seeking out the great beast. Only through battle could respect be earned but only through compassion could it be maintained.” Akuaysun spoke the words under his breath as his eyes dropped to the floor of the wagon, the sound of the iron gates falling into place solidifying the statement. It was again something that he said to no-one in particular, and would have likely only been heard had someone been listening closely. So many stories, and sayings were locked away in Aku’s mind, they floated freely being drawn from his subconscious when needed. More often then naught if the words were even repeated to him, the youthful looking Myrian would likely not recognize them, simply a shadow from past lives spilling over.

From there the wagon rolled into the gardens, an area that suffered from decades upon decades of little care. Within its confines Statues and vines crept up from the stone courtyard. At one point it would have been a beautiful sight, but now weather, and life, had taken its toll. The details of likely once were giving way to lost contours. All the while Drainira spoke her welcomes to the collective group.

As Drainira remarked on his question, Akuaysun gave soft nods his eyes even glancing to Qiao as he interjected. So the whole of Sahova dated back to pre cataclysm days. These were the studies of the Alahean, this place was likely a treasure trove of magical knowledge, no of knowledge in general. It was no wonder their Nuit guide had such a distaste for the visitors. One, they were outsiders, a threat to his way of life, and two they were not magi, at least not openly and therefore beneath him. Aku could remember the old days, how the world was separated into those of military might and those of magical might. Some no most of the most powerful wizards to ever live came from the realm of Alahea.

It was then as Aku was rolling the statement and thoughts over in his mind that Qiao put an end to the current discussion and moved on to the next, their examination. It came as little surprise that they were being checked out, Aku himself had been doing similar since arriving, and further supposed that others were doing the same in their own way. Akuaysun had an advantage over the rest however, he actually knew things about the days when these people and creations were born or made. He was a fragment of this world himself a fragment of lives long passed.

‘Heh, alive…’ the thought rolled through the Ethaefal’s mind. He was indeed living as he had argued earlier, but not in the same way as others. In many respects he had more in common with the Nuit and Drainira then he did the rest of the group on the wagon. The information revealed about the others was pushed away into the back of his mind; it was interesting but definitely not immediately useful. He did have many questions about the facts presented on him self however. As likely did the others. Choosing silence at first he let them speak, in turn waiting for all until only he and Dranquay remained. The brother of Chalnomyl, a studious man it seemed, and one of few words. He had openly challenged those that ran the island in his own way, a mistake possibly yet to be revealed? There would likely be no telling until the time came, for now however he planned to pull as many tidbits for his needs out of this place and its people as possible.

As they rolled into the depths of the building and silence once more came over the group Aku spoke up, his voice still confident, unwavering. Instead of looking at their guide as the words poured forth, he slowly lifted his head to the ceiling that now blocked out the sunlight, as if speaking to none in particular though he most definitely was. “Most accurate and impressive Drainira, and Lector Qiao you were correct, I amend my statement from earlier on golems, it seems that some do in fact rival the living, though my remarks on consciousness still stand.” He paused for a moment, his foot grinding into the wagon’s floor for the seconds as he debated his next statement. “Drainira the reason I am likely so interesting to you is because I hail from the realm of the gods. I came to Sahova in order to speak with the keepers of this island, though I must agree with Lector Qiao again I have rather taken to you over him. I last lived in the cycle before the Valterrian, as many as I understand have come to call it, or as I prefer the war of the gods. I am a prize gem, for only the best and most faithful are chosen to be plucked out to live amongst our patron lord in the Ukalas. Now however I have been returned to complete a mission, it does not then surprise me that something has selected me for prey. I believe we could learn much from one another if Lector Qiao, and the Archwizard would allow it. I would like to speak with you, and if they like them as well on end about the things mentioned and in return would have little issue revealing my true form to you.”